SCOPING REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF A …

Draft Scoping Report For the proposed establishment of Gas Plant on Portion A of the remaining extent of the Farm Vetlaagte 4

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SCOPING REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF A 100MW

GAS PLANT ON PORTION A OF THE REMAINING EXTENT OF THE FARM

VETLAAGTE 4, EMTHANJENI LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, DE AAR, NORTHERN

CAPE PROVINCE

DRAFT SCOPING REPORT

REFERENCE NO

MARCH 2020


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DOCUMENT SYNOPSIS

Item Description

Proposed development

and location

The proposed establishment of a 100MW Gas Plant on Portion A of the remaining

extent of the Farm Vetlaagte 4, Emthanjeni Local Municipality, De Aar, Northern

Cape Province.

Purpose of the study Draft Scoping Report for the proposed establishment of a 100MW Gas Plant on

Portion A of the remaining extent of the Farm Vetlaagte 4, Emthanjeni Local

Municipality, De Aar, Northern Cape Province.

1:50 000 Topographic

Map

Attached in Appendix A

Central Coordinates 30°39'00.97"S;

24°05'35.03"E

Municipalities Emthanjeni Local Municipality

Predominant land use

of surrounding area

Agricultural

Applicant Greenleaf G5 (Pty) Ltd

Prepared for: Greenleaf G5 (Pty) Ltd

ETG House,

62 Wierda Road

East Wierda Valley

Sandton, 2196

Prepared by: Sativa Travel and Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd

Constantia Park, B16/5, 546, 16th road, Midrand, 1685

Tel: 010 492 4330

Cell: 076 328 1558

Fax: 086 652 9774

E-mail: [email protected]

Authors Moses Kgopana

Date of Report 04/03/2021


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TITLE AND APPROVAL PAGE

Author:

Name Title Signature Date

Moses Kgopana (Pri.Sci.Nat) Environmental Assessment

Practitioner (STEC)

04/03/2021

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors acknowledge Greenleaf G5 (Pty) Ltd for their assistance with project information, layouts and

the associated project background Information documents (BID) as well as responding to technical

queries related to the project.


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EAP UNDERTAKING

THE INDEPENDENT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER (EAP)

I …Moses Kgopana………, on behalf of Sativa Travel and Environmental Consultants, as the appointed

independent environmental practitioner (“EAP”) hereby declare that I:

• act/ed as the independent EAP in this application;

• regard the information contained in this report to be true and correct, and

• do not have and will not have any financial interest in the undertaking of the activity, other than

remuneration for work performed in terms of the NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment

Regulations, 2014 and any specific environmental management Act;

• have and will not have no vested interest in the proposed activity proceeding;

• have disclosed, to the applicant and competent authority, any material information that have or may have

the potential to influence the decision of the competent authority or the objectivity of any report, plan or

document required in terms of the NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 and

any specific environmental management Act;

• am fully aware of and meet the responsibilities in terms of NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment

Regulations, 2014 and any specific environmental management Act, and that failure to comply with these

requirements may constitute and result in disqualification;

• have ensured that information containing all relevant facts in respect of the application was distributed or

made available to interested and affected parties and the public and that participation by interested and

affected parties was facilitated in such a manner that all interested and affected parties were provided with

a reasonable opportunity to participate and to provide comments;

• have ensured that the comments of all interested and affected parties were considered, recorded and

submitted to the competent authority in respect of the application;

• have kept a register of all interested and affected parties that participated in the public participation

process;

• have provided the competent authority with access to all information at my disposal regarding the

application, whether such information is favorable to the applicant or not; and

• am aware that a false declaration is an offence in terms of the EIA regulations.

Signature of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner:

Name of company: Sativa Travel and Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd

Date: 04/03/2021


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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Sativa Travel and Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd (STEC) has been appointed by

Greenleaf G5 (Pty) Ltd to undertake the EIA Processes in order to determine the biophysical, social and

economic impacts associated with the installation of up to 100 MW Gas Plant on Portion A within the

remaining extent of the Farm Vetlaagte 4 within Emthanjeni Local Municipality, Northern Cape Province.

The project will be located within the approved PV Facility, and the proposed project will have a footprint

of <5ha. In terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No.107 of 1998) as

amended (NEMA) and the 2014 NEMA Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (as

amended on 7 April 2017) promulgated in Government Gazette 40772 and Government Notice (GN)

R327, R326, R325 and R324, a full Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process is

required for the proposed development. It is important to note that the proposed project will complement

the currently approved PV Solar park and as such will utilize the associated infrastructure already

approved as part of that application.

This document serves as the Draft Scoping Report for the establishment of the Gas Plant.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DOCUMENT SYNOPSIS ................................................................................................................................................ i

TITLE AND APPROVAL PAGE ..................................................................................................................................... i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................................................... i

EAP UNDERTAKING ................................................................................................................................................ ii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................................. iii

LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................................................... vii

LIST OF FIGURES....................................................................................................................................................... vii

LIST OF APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................................ ix

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS .......................................................................................................................................... x

STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT .................................................................................................................................. xi

1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 SITE LOCATION .......................................................................................................................................... 2

1.2 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................................ 2

1.3 DETAILS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING TEAM ..................................................................... 5

1.4 DETAILS OF APPLICANT/DEVELOPER ..................................................................................................... 6

1.5 OVERVIEW OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS ......................................................................................... 6

1.6 OBJECTIVES OF THE SCOPING PROCESS ............................................................................................. 7

1.7 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT PHASE .................................................................. 7

2 LEGISLATIONS AND GUIDELINES ..................................................................................................................... 8

2.3 REGIONAL PLANS .................................................................................................................................... 13

3 SCOPING AND EIA PROCESS AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ....................................................................... 14

3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT TRIGGERS AND AUTHORITIES ...................................................... 14

3.2 PURPOSE OF EIA ..................................................................................................................................... 16

3.3 SCOPING AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTING ...................................................................... 16

3.3.1 SCOPING PROCESS ............................................................................................................................ 18

3.3.2 IDENTIFICATION OF INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES AND DATABASE MANAGEMENT . 18

3.3.3 LANDOWNER CONSENT ..................................................................................................................... 19

3.3.4 ADVERTISMENT OF THE SCOPING PROCESS ................................................................................. 19

3.3.5 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PROJECT ................................................................................... 20

3.3.6 SCOPING REPORT PUBLIC REVIEW .................................................................................................. 20

3.3.7 SUBMISSION OF SCOPING REPORT TO DEFF FOR DECISION ...................................................... 20

3.4 SCHEDULE FOR THE EIA......................................................................................................................... 21


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4 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................................................. 22

4.1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ......................................................................................................................... 22

4.2 SITE LOCATION ........................................................................................................................................ 22

4.3 SITE ACCESS ............................................................................................................................................ 24

4.4 CURRENT STATUS QUO OF THE SITE ................................................................................................... 24

4.5 WATER & ELECTRICITY DEMAND AND SUPPLY ................................................................................... 24

4.6 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ............................................................................................................ 24

4.7 WASTE AND RECYCLING ........................................................................................................................ 24

4.8 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................... 24

4.9 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT CYCLE .......................................................................................................... 24

4.9.1 CONSTRUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 24

4.9.2 Operation and Maintenance ................................................................................................................... 25

4.9.3 Decommissioning ................................................................................................................................... 25

4.10 ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVES ......................................................................................................... 25

4.10.1 LOCATION ALTERNATIVES ............................................................................................................. 26

4.10.2 ACTIVITY ALTERNATIVES ............................................................................................................... 26

4.10.3 DESIGN OR LAYOUT ALTERNATIVES ........................................................................................... 27

4.10.4 TECHNOLOGY ALTERNATIVES ...................................................................................................... 28

4.10.5 OPERATIONAL ALTERNATIVES ..................................................................................................... 33

4.10.6 NO-GO ALTERNATIVE ..................................................................................................................... 33

4.11 NEED AND DESIRABILITY ........................................................................................................................ 33

4.12 ASSUMPTIONS ......................................................................................................................................... 36

5 RECIEVING ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................................................. 37

5.1 CLIMATE AND RAINFALL ......................................................................................................................... 37

5.2 TOPOGRAPHY .......................................................................................................................................... 39

5.3 GEOLOGY AND SOILS ............................................................................................................................. 39

5.4 LAND USE .................................................................................................................................................. 40

5.5 BIODIVERSITY BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................ 40

5.5.1 Vegetation .............................................................................................................................................. 40

5.5.2 Protected Trees ...................................................................................................................................... 42

5.5.3 CONSERVATION STATUS ................................................................................................................... 42

5.5.4 Alien plants identified in the Study Area ................................................................................................. 44

5.6 FAUNA ....................................................................................................................................................... 44

5.6.1 Mammals ................................................................................................................................................ 44

5.6.2 Avifauna ................................................................................................................................................. 45


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5.6.3 Faunal Hotspots ..................................................................................................................................... 45

5.7 WATERCOURSES AND HYDROLOGY .................................................................................................... 47

5.8 WATERCOURSES IN THE STUDY AREA ................................................................................................ 47

5.8.1 Classification of Watercourses in the Study Area................................................................................... 48

5.8.2 Drainage Areas ...................................................................................................................................... 49

5.8.3 Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSA) of South Africa ......................................................................... 53

5.8.4 PES of Watercourses in the Study Area ................................................................................................ 55

5.8.5 EIS of Watercourses in the Study Area .................................................................................................. 55

5.9 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................................ 56

6 IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................ 58

6.1 IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................... 58

7 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ........................................................................................................ 64

8 PLAN OF STUDY ................................................................................................................................................ 68

8.1 ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS AND ISSUES IDENTIFIED DURING SCOPING PHASE .......................... 68

8.2 FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVES TO BE ASSESSED DURING EIA PHASE ................................................... 68

8.3 SPECIALIST STUDIES .............................................................................................................................. 68

8.4 TERMS OF REFERENCE – GENERAL ..................................................................................................... 69

8.5 SPECIFIC TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR SELECTED STUDIES ........................................................... 70

8.5.1 Terrestrial Ecological Impact Assessment.............................................................................................. 70

8.5.2 Heritage Impact Assessment and Paleontology ..................................................................................... 71

8.5.3 Air Quality Impact Assessment and Green House Gas/ Climate Change Assessment ......................... 71

8.5.4 Traffic Impact Assessment ..................................................................................................................... 71

8.5.5 Visual Impact Assessment ..................................................................................................................... 72

8.6 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE EIA PHASE ......................................................................................... 73

8.6.1 Updating of I&APs Database .................................................................................................................. 73

8.6.2 Review of Draft EIA Report .................................................................................................................... 73

8.6.3 Comments and Responses Report ........................................................................................................ 73

8.6.4 Notification of DEFF Decision ................................................................................................................ 73

8.7 APPROACH TO THE EIA STUDIES .......................................................................................................... 74

8.8 AUTHORITY CONSULTATION .................................................................................................................. 75

9 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................... 77

10 REFERENCE ...................................................................................................................................................... 78

APPENDICES .............................................................................................................................................................. 79


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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Authorised PV Information ............................................................................................................................... 2 Table 2: Properties associated with the project ............................................................................................................. 3 Table 3: Coordinates for the study area ......................................................................................................................... 3 Table 4: EAP Details ...................................................................................................................................................... 5 Table 5: Details of Applicant .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Table 6: Listed Activities ................................................................................................................................................ 9 Table 7: Listed Activities .............................................................................................................................................. 14 Table 8: Determination of the Need and Desirability of the development .................................................................... 34 Table 9: Description of land types found in the region ................................................................................................. 40 Table 10: Hierarchy of vegetation of the study site ...................................................................................................... 41 Table 11: Veldtype status ............................................................................................................................................. 42 Table 12: Ecosystem Status: Simplified explanation of categories used ..................................................................... 43 Table 13: Classification levels 1 - 4 .............................................................................................................................. 49 Table 14: Classification of Watercourses ..................................................................................................................... 49 Table 15: Summary of Catchment Areas for the study site .......................................................................................... 50 Table 16: PES of watercourses in the study area ........................................................................................................ 55 Table 17: EIS and EMC values of watercourses .......................................................................................................... 56 Table 18: Potential Intensity/Severity Rating ............................................................................................................... 59 Table 19: Guide to assessing risk/impact significance as a result of consequence and probability ............................. 62 Table 20: Potential Impacts to be Assessed ................................................................................................................ 64 Table 21: Specialist studies undertaken for submission with Environmental Impact report ......................................... 68

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Locality Map .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Figure 2: EIA process flow ........................................................................................................................................... 17 Figure 3: Locality Map for the proposed development ................................................................................................. 23 Figure 4: Conceptual layout ......................................................................................................................................... 27 Figure 5: Jenbacher J920 Engine ................................................................................................................................ 28 Figure 6: Wartsila W 20V 34SG engine ....................................................................................................................... 29 Figure 7: GE TM2500 turbine ....................................................................................................................................... 30 Figure 8: Solar Turbine Titan 130 ................................................................................................................................ 30 Figure 9: Typical Boiler illustration ............................................................................................................................... 31 Figure 10: Typical Bullet set up .................................................................................................................................... 32 Figure 11: Sphere storage tanks .................................................................................................................................. 32 Figure 12: Rainfall zones of South Africa ..................................................................................................................... 38 Figure 13: Climatic zones of South Africa .................................................................................................................... 39 Figure 14: Biomes ........................................................................................................................................................ 41 Figure 15: Structure of categories used at the regional level ....................................................................................... 44 Figure 16: Snake hotspots ........................................................................................................................................... 46 Figure 17: Lizard hotspots ............................................................................................................................................ 46 Figure 18: Butterfly hotspots ........................................................................................................................................ 47 Figure 19: Main rivers in the area ................................................................................................................................ 48 Figure 20: Primary drainage areas of South Africa ...................................................................................................... 51


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Figure 21: Old WMAs of South Africa .......................................................................................................................... 51 Figure 22: New WMAs & CMAs of South Africa........................................................................................................... 52 Figure 23: Wetland Vegetation Ecoregions .................................................................................................................. 52 Figure 24: National SWSA of South Africa ................................................................................................................... 54 Figure 25: Water Source Area (De Aar) ....................................................................................................................... 54 Figure 26: Environmental studies flowchart ................................................................................................................. 74


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LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix A: Locality and layout maps (Facility illustrations)

Appendix B: Photograph plate

Appendix C: EAP CV, qualifications and undertaking of Oath

Appendix D: Public Participation information

Appendix E: EIA Schedule


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TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

BA Basic Assessment

BAR Basic Assessment Report

BPEO Best Practicable Environmental Option

CBA Critical Biodiversity Areas

CMA Catchment Management Agencies

CPV Concentrated Photovoltaic

Ha Hectare

DEA Department of Environmental Affairs

DEFF Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries

DWS Department Water and Sanitation

EAP Environmental Assessment Practitioner

ECO Environmental Control Officer

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EIS Ecological Importance & Sensitivity

ESA Ecological Support Area

ESS Environmental Scoping Study

I&AP’s Interested and Affected Parties

PDA Primary Drainage Area

PV Photovoltaic

QDA Quaternary Drainage Area

PPP Public Participation Process

SAHRA South African Heritage Resource Agency

STEC Sativa Travel and Environmental Consultants

TPV Tracking Photovoltaic

WMA Water Management Areas

SACNASP South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions

SANBI South African National Biodiversity Institute

SWSA Strategic Water areas of South Africa

WMA Water Management Areas


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STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT

The legislated content requirements for Scoping Report are contained in Appendix 2 of the Environmental

Impact Assessment Regulations of 2014 as amended (GNR 326). For ease of reference, the table below

cross references the content requirements and related section number in this report.

NO. REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE

SECTION IN THIS

REPORT

A details of (i) the EAP who prepared the report; and (ii) the expertise of the EAP to carry out scoping procedures

Section 1.4

B (i) The location of the activity, including the 21 digit Surveyor General code of each

cadastral land parcel

Section 1.3 &

Appendix A

(ii) The physical address and farm name of the activity

(iii) The coordinates of the boundary of the property or properties

c A plan which locates the proposed activity or activities applied for as well as

associated structures and infrastructure at an appropriate scale; or, if it is on land

where the property has not been defined, the coordinates within which the activity is

to be undertaken;

d A description of the scope of the proposed activity, including a description of the

activities to be undertaken and associated structures and infrastructure and

including all listed and specified activities triggered and being applied for as well as

the

Section 4

e A description of the policy and legislative context within which the development is

proposed including an identification and description of compliance to all legislation,

policies, plans, guidelines, spatial tools, municipal development planning

frameworks, and instruments that are applicable to this activity and have been

considered in the preparation of the report

Section 2

f A motivation for the need and desirability for the proposed development including

the need and desirability of the activity in the context of the preferred location Section 4.11

g A motivation for the preferred site, activity and technology alternative Section 4.

H (i) A full description of the process followed to reach the proposed preferred alternative

within the site, including details of all the alternatives considered Section 4.10


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(ii) Details of the public participation process undertaken in terms of regulation 41 of the

Regulations, including copies of the supporting documents and inputs Section 3

(iii) Summary of the issues raised by interested and affected parties, and an indication

of the manner in which the issues were incorporated, or the reasons for not

including them

Section 3 of Final

report

(iv) The environmental attributes focusing on the geographical, physical, biological,

social, economic, heritage and cultural aspects; Section 5

(v) The impacts and risks identified for each alternative, including the nature,

significance, consequence, extent, duration and probability of the impacts, including

the degree to which these impacts- (aa) can be reversed; (bb) may cause

irreplaceable loss of resources; and (cc) can be avoided, managed or mitigated;

Section 7

(vi) The methodology used in determining and ranking the nature, significance,

consequences, extent, duration and probability of potential environmental impacts

and risks associated with the alternatives

Section 6

(vii) Positive and negative impacts that the proposed activity and alternatives will have

on the environment and on the community that may be affected focusing on the

geographical, physical, biological, social, economic, heritage and cultural aspects

Section 7

(viii) The possible mitigation measures that could be applied and level of residual risk Section 7

(xi) A full description of the process followed to reach the proposed preferred alternative

within the site, including if no alternatives, including alternative locations for the

activity were investigated, the motivation for not considering such, as well as a

concluding statement indicating the preferred alternatives, including preferred

location of the activity

Section 4.10

I A plan of study for undertaking the environmental impact assessment process to be

undertaken, including:

Section 8

i. A description of the alternatives to be considered and assessed within the preferred

site, including the option of not proceeding with the activity

ii. A description of the aspects to be assessed as part of the environmental impact

assessment process; Section

iii. Aspects to be assessed by specialists; Section 8

iv. A description of the proposed method of assessing the environmental aspects,

including a description of the proposed method of assessing the environmental

aspects including aspects to be assessed by specialists;

Section 6


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v. A description of the proposed method of assessing duration and significance;

vi. An indication of the stages at which the competent authority will be consulted

vii. Particulars of the public participation process that will be conducted during the environmental impact assessment process; and

Section 8

viii A description of the tasks that will be undertaken as part of the environmental impact assessment process;

Section 8

ix Identify suitable measures to avoid, reverse, mitigate or manage identified impacts and to determine the extent of the residual risks that need to be monitored.

Section 7

J An undertaking under oath or affirmation by the EAP in relation to the correctness of

the information provided in the reports, the inclusion of comments and inputs from

stakeholders and l&APs, the inclusion of inputs and recommendations from the

specialist reports where relevant and any information provided by the EAP to

interested and affected parties and any responses by the EAP to comments or

inputs made by interested and affected parties

Appendix C

K Any specific information that may be required by the competent authority None

L Any other matters required in terms of section 24(4)(a) and (b) of the Act. None


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1 INTRODUCTION

A scoping process aims to determine the content and extent of the matters which should be covered in the

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the information to be submitted to the competent authority for

decision making. This report therefore identifies the key issues to be considered, sets out the appropriate

time and space boundaries of the EIA study, and provides information necessary for decision-making by

identifying the significant effects and factors to be studied in detail during the Environmental Impact

Assessment Report (EIAR) phase of the process.

Sativa Travel and Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd (STEC) has been appointed by

Greenleaf G5 (Pty) Ltd to undertake the EIA Processes in order to determine the biophysical, social and

economic impacts associated with the installation of up to 100 MW Gas Plant on Portion A within the

remaining extent of the Farm Vetlaagte 4 within Emthanjeni Local Municipality, Northern Cape Province.

In terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No.107 of 1998) as amended (NEMA)

and the 2014 NEMA Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (as amended on 7 April 2017)

promulgated in Government Gazette 40772 and Government Notice (GN) R327, R326, R325 and R324, a

full Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process is required for the proposed

development.

This document serves as the Draft Scoping Report for the establishment of the Gas Plant. The purpose of

Scoping which constitutes the first phase of the overall Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process,

includes the following amongst others:

• Assess the receiving environment in terms of current state and potential positive or negative

impacts;

• Identify the legal framework in terms of the proposed project;

• Identify and engage with Interested and Affected Parties (IAPs) and allow for adequate

participation in the process;

• Duly consider alternatives for achieving the project’s objectives;

• Identify significant issues to be investigated further during the execution of the EIA phase;

• Determine the scope of the ensuing EIA phase, in terms of specialist studies, public participation,

assessment of impacts and appraisal of alternatives; and

• Allow for informed decision-making with regard to the EIA process.

Currently the site holds a positive Environmental authorization for the establishment of a Solar PV park.

Portion A is authorized to generate up to 75 MW electricity from Solar PV panels / track PV (EA ref:

14/12/16/3/3/2/382/AM2) (see Table below and Appendix A for Locality Maps) with the current holder being

Ennex Solar (Pty) Ltd.


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The Applicant Greenleaf G5 (Pty) Ltd, wishes to establish a 100MW Gas Plant within the approved footprint

of the Portion A PV Facility on the remaining extent of the Farm Vetlaagte 4.

Greenleaf G5 (Pty) Ltd, has an agreement in place with Ennex Solar (Pty) Ltd which allowed Greenleaf G5

(Pty) Ltd to submit the Portion A PV facility as part of the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Risk Mitigated

Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP). Greenleaf G5 (Pty) Ltd wishes to

enhance and optimise the BID submitted with the addition of a 100 MW Gas park (as it will enhance the

site’s ability to be a hybrid electricity generating site). Should Greenleaf G5 (Pty) Ltd obtain preferred

bidder status from the DoE, Ennex Solar (Pty) Ltd will transfer the Environmental Authorisations into the

name of Greenleaf G5 (Pty) Ltd. This EIA to be undertaken for the establishment of the 100MW Gas Park,

will consider all currently authorised and pending infrastructure as part of the cumulative impact

assessment.

Table 1: Authorised PV Information Portion Lease

Area

(ha)

EA

Area

(ha)

MW Technology Project

Company

DEA Ref

A 145.5 150 75 PV/TPV Ennex Solar

(Pty) Ltd

14/12/16/3/3/2/382/AM2

It is important to note that the proposed project will complement the currently approved PV Solar park and

as such will utilize the associated infrastructure already approved as part of that application.

STEC’ scope of work included undertaking a full Environmental Impact Assessment process which included

a Public Participation Process (PPP) in terms of chapter 6, Regulation 41 of the EIA regulations of 2014 (as

amended). The application was submitted to the competent authority on March 2021, namely the

Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF).

1.1 SITE LOCATION

The project is located on Portion A of the remaining extent of the Farm Vetlaagte 4, within Emthanjeni Local

Municipality, Northern Cape Province. The site is approximately 6km east of the town of De Aar. The

proposed project has a footprint of <5ha located within the approved Solar PV site. The study area is 17ha

in extent to allow for the optimal location of the Gas Plant within the assessed area. Approximate center of

the study site is 30°39'00.97"S; 24°05'35.03"E. Refer to Figure 3 below as well as Appendix A.

1.2 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

The properties that will be affected by the proposed project are reflected in Table 2 below.


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Table 2: Properties associated with the project

Property Name Surveyor-General

Cadastral Code No.

Footprint Coordinates

Portion A of the remaining

extent of the Farm Vetlaagte 4

C03000000000000400000 5 ha 30°39'00.97"S;

24°05'35.03"E

Table 3: Coordinates for the study area Position Coordinates

Corner 1 30°38'56.49"S ; 24° 5'46.36"E

Corner 2 30°39'5.85"S ; 24° 5'46.38"E

Corner 3 30°39'5.83"S ; 24° 5'23.60"E

Corner 4 30°38'56.54"S ; 24° 5'23.63"E

Photographs of the site and the surroundings are attached as Appendix B of this report. The photographs

capture relevant features on site.


4

Figure 1: Locality Map


5

1.3 DETAILS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING TEAM

Sativa Travel and Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd (STEC) is an independent environmental

consultancy appointed by Greenleaf G5 (Pty) Ltd (the Applicant) to undertake the required EIA Process for

the proposed project.

STEC does not have any financial or other interests in the undertaking of the proposed activity, other than

remuneration for work performed in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of

1998) (NEMA), the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, of 2014, as amended, and any specific

environmental management Act; and does not have any vested interest in the proposed activity.

The contact details and experience of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) undertaking the

application are provided in Table 3 below and proof of qualification is attached in Appendix C.

Table 4: EAP Details

Environmental Assessment

Practitioner:

Sativa Travel and Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd

Contact Person: Moses Kgopana (Pri.Sci.Nat) (Reg No. 115687)

Address: Address: Constantia Park, B16/5, 546,

16th Road

Midrand, 1685

Telephone 010 492 4330

Fax 086 652 9774

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.sativatec.co.za

Expertise Moses Kgopana is an Environmental Manager with 13 years of

experience and a BSc (hons) in Environmental Management. Mr

Kgopana is a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South


6

African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP). Mr

Kgopana has experience in various aspects of Environmental

Management and this includes the following:

❖ Undertaking and writing Environmental Impact Assessment;

❖ Writing Environmental Management Programmes;

❖ Undertaking and writing Waste Management Reports;

❖ Waste Management License;

❖ Sensitivity analysis, planning and Mapping;

❖ Conducting Public Participation Process;

❖ Conducting environmental awareness training; and

❖ Conducting legal compliance audits.

❖ Mining Right Applications

❖ Section 102 Applications

❖ Geotechnical Risk Assessments

❖ Dust and Water Monitoring

❖ Section 24G Applications

❖ Due Diligence reports

1.4 DETAILS OF APPLICANT/DEVELOPER

The contact details of the applicant are provided in Table 5 below.

Table 5: Details of Applicant

Name of Applicant: Greenleaf G5 (Pty) Ltd

Contact Person Parin Patel

Postal Address: ETG House, 62 Wierda Road East Wierda Valley Sandton 2196

Physical Address: ETG House, 62 Wierda Road East Wierda Valley Sandton 2196

1.5 OVERVIEW OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS

The environmental assessment process will be undertaken in two phases namely:

• Environmental Scoping Process which includes the notification of the process and

commissioning of specialists’ studies. This particular report details the outcome of this process;

and

• The Environmental Impact Assessment phase resulting in the EIAR as well as an

Environmental Management Programme (EMPr). The EMPr will be compiled based on the findings

of the Environmental Impact Assessment and will provide mitigation and management measures

for the planning and construction phase of the proposed project.


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1.6 OBJECTIVES OF THE SCOPING PROCESS

The scoping process will, through a consultative process:

• Identify the relevant policies and legislation relevant to the activity;

• Motivate the need and desirability of the proposed activity;

• Identify and confirm the preferred activity and technology alternative through an impact and risk

assessment and ranking process;

• Identify and confirm the preferred site through a site selection process, which includes an impact

and risk assessment process inclusive of cumulative impacts and a ranking process of all the

identified alternatives focusing on the geographical, physical, biological, social, economic, and

cultural aspects of the environment;

• Identify the key issues to be addressed in the assessment phase;

• Agree on the level of assessment to be undertaken, including the methodology to be applied, the

expertise required as well as the extent of further consultation to be undertaken to determine the

impacts and risks the activity will impose on the site, including the nature, significance,

consequences, extent, duration, and probability of the impacts; and

• Identify suitable measures to avoid, manage or mitigate impacts and to determine the extent of the

residual risks that need to be managed and monitored.

1.7 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT PHASE

The EIAR will present findings of the EIA, describe the proposed activity and affected environment, forecast

the significant impacts likely to result from the implementation of the activity; evaluate alternatives; and

identify and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures. An Environmental Management Programme

will also be developed.

The draft EIAR will be made available to registered I&APs, including the competent authority to review and

comment for a period of 30 days. Once the comments have been collated, responded to and integrated into

the final EIAR the report will be submitted to DEFF for consideration and decision making


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2 LEGISLATIONS AND GUIDELINES

All the applicable environmental standards contained within the environmental legislation will be adhered to.

Below are applicable legislations and guidelines for the proposed development and have been identified as

relevant:

2.1 THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH AFRICA, 1996 (ACT NO.108 OF 1996), AS AMENDED.

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa1 provides that, everyone has a right to an environment that

is not harmful to their health or well-being. It further provides that, the environment should be protected for

future generations through the implementation of the reasonable legislative and other measures that

prevent pollution and ecological degradation.

In support of the above rights, the environmental management objectives of proposed project is to protect

ecologically sensitive areas and support sustainable development and the use of natural resources, whilst

promoting justifiable socio-economic development in the towns nearest to the project site.

2.2 NATIONAL LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS

2.2.1 National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No.107 of 1998), as amended

The National Environmental Management Act aims to improve the quality of environmental decision-making

by setting out principles for environmental management that apply to all government departments and

organizations that may affect the environment. The Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) principles

also aim to ensure that environmental impacts are considered before actions are taken or implemented and

to ensure that there are adequate opportunities for public participation in decisions that may affect the

environment. NEMA also creates a framework for facilitating the role of civil society in environmental

governance.

Section 24(1) of the NEMA states:

• "In order to give effect to the general objectives of integrated environmental management laid down

in this Chapter, the potential impact on the environment of listed activities must be considered,

investigated, assessed and reported to the competent authority charged by this Act with granting

the relevant environmental authorization."

1 The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996). Section 24 – Bill of Rights


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2.2.2 EIA Regulations

The NEMA EIA Regulations (2014) were promulgated and came into effect on 04 December 2014. The

Amendments to the EIA Regulations, 2014, published in Government Notice R326 in Government Gazette

No. 40772 came into effect on 7 April 2017. These Regulations regulate the procedure and criteria as

contemplated in Chapter 5 of the Act relating to the preparation, evaluation, submission, processing and

consideration of, and decision on, applications for environmental authorisations for the commencement of

activities, subjected to environmental impact assessment, in order to avoid or mitigate detrimental impacts

on the environment, and to optimise positive environmental impacts, and for matters pertaining thereto.

2.2.3 LISTED ACTIVITIES

All the listed activities potentially forming part of this proposed development and therefore requiring

Environmental Authorisation (EA) formed part of the Application Form for EA that was prepared and

submitted to the DEFF. At the time of release of this Draft Scoping Report to Interested and Affected

Parties (I&APs) for review, the letter of acknowledgement from the DEFF stipulating the EIA Reference

Number for the proposed project was pending. The listed activities potentially triggered by the proposed

project are indicated in Table 6.

Table 6: Listed Activities

LISTING NOTICE 1 (GNR 327)

Activity Number Activity Description Specific Scope

Activity 24 The development of a road—

(i) for which an environmental authorisation was

obtained for the route determination in

terms of activity 5 in Government Notice

387 of 2006 or activity 18 in Government

Notice 545 of 2010; or

(ii) with a reserve wider than 13,5 meters, or

where no reserve exists where the road is

wider than 8 metres;

but excluding a road—

(a) which is identified and included in activity 27 in Listing

Notice 2 of 2014;

(b) where the entire road falls within an urban area; or (c)

which is 1 kilometre or shorter.

Eight meter wide access roads

will be constructed as part of the

internal road network.


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Activity 2 The development and related operation of facilities or

infrastructure for the generation of electricity from a non-

renewable resource where the electricity output is 20

megawatts or more.

The Gas Plant will have a total

output of approximately 100MW

of electricity.


infrastructure, for the storage, or storage and handling of

a dangerous good, where such storage occurs in

containers with a combined capacity of more than 500

cubic metres.

Storage of up to 2800m3 fuel

(LPG /Diesel/ very low sulphur oil)

Activity 6 The development of facilities or infrastructure for any

process or activity which requires a permit or licence or

an amended permit or licence in terms of national or

provincial legislation governing the generation or release

of emissions, pollution or effluent, excluding ─

(i) activities which are identified and included in Listing

Notice 1 of 2014;

(ii) activities which are included in the list of waste

management activities published in terms of section 19 of

the National Environmental Management: Waste Act,

2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008) in which case the National

Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 applies;

(iii) the development of facilities or infrastructure for the

treatment of effluent, polluted water, wastewater or

sewage where such facilities have a daily throughput

capacity of 2 000 cubic metres or less; or

(iv) where the development is directly related to

aquaculture facilities or infrastructure where the

wastewater discharge capacity will not exceed 50 cubic

metres per day.

The Gas Plant will make use of

turbines or engines which will

require an air emissions license in

terms of NEM:AQA Act No. 39 of

2004.

2.2.4 National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004)

The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEM:BA) makes provisions for achieving the

objectives of the United Nation’s Convention on Biological Diversity, to which South Africa is a signatory.

The Bill promotes management, conservation and sustainable use of indigenous biological resources, and

provides for:

• the management and conservation of biological diversity;

• the use of indigenous biological resources in a sustainable manner; and

• the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the commercialization through bio-

prospecting of traditional uses and knowledge of generic resources.


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The Bill gives effect to international agreements relating to biodiversity which are binding on the Republic

and provides for co-operative governance in biodiversity management and conservation, and provides for a

National Biodiversity Institute to assist in achieving the above objectives. The Act gives wide powers to the

National Biodiversity Institute to inter alia protect flora and fauna in appropriate enclosures, the collection of

information, undertaking and promotion of research on indigenous biodiversity and the sustainable use of

indigenous biological resources, the prevention, control or eradication of listed invasive species,

biodiversity planning and other functions. This act lists all critically endangered, vulnerable and protected

species. The potential occurrence of any such species were investigated in the process.

Furthermore, NEMBA states that the loss of biodiversity through habitat loss, degradation or fragmentation

must be avoided, minimised or remedied. The loss of biodiversity includes inter alia the loss of threatened

or protected species. Biodiversity offsets are a means of compensating for the loss of biodiversity after all

measures to avoid, reduce or remedy biodiversity loss have been taken, but residual impacts still remain

and these are predicted to be medium to high. Chapter 5 of NEMBA (Sections 73 to 75) regulates activities

involving invasive species, and lists duty of care as follows:

• the land owner/land user must take steps to control and eradicate the invasive species and prevent

their spread, which includes targeting offspring, propagating material and regrowth, in order to

prevent the production of offspring, formation of seed, regeneration or re-establishment;

• take all required steps to prevent or minimise harm to biodiversity; and

• ensure that actions taken to control/eradicate invasive species must be executed with caution and

in a manner that may cause the least possible harm to biodiversity and damage to the environment.

2.2.5 National Water Act, 1998 (Act No.36 of 1998)

In terms of chapter 3, water resources are to be protected, used, developed, conserved, managed and

controlled. This Act recognizes that water is a scarce resource; it is a natural resource that belongs to all of

South Africa’s people. The National Department of Water and Sanitation is responsible for the nation’s

water resource and also the Minister of Department of Water and Sanitation ensures that the water

resource is “protected, used, developed, conserved, managed and controlled” through the implementation

of this Act (National Water Act 36 of 1998).

All water users who are using water for agriculture: aquaculture, agriculture: irrigation, agriculture: watering

livestock, industrial, mining, power generation, recreation, urban and water supply service must register

their water use. This covers the use of surface and ground water.

Section 21 of the Act lists the following water uses that need to be licensed:

a) taking water from a water resource;

b) storing water;

c) impeding or diverting the flow of water in a watercourse;

d) engaging in a stream flow reduction activity contemplated in section 36;


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e) engaging in a controlled activity identified as such in section 37(1) or declared under section 38(1);

f) discharging waste or water containing waste into a water resource through a pipe, canal, sewer,

sea outfall or other conduit;

g) disposing of waste in a manner which may detrimentally impact on a water resource;

h) disposing in any manner of water which contains waste from, or which has been heated in, any

industrial or power generation process;

i) altering the bed, banks, course or characteristics of a watercourse;

j) removing, discharging or disposing of water found underground if it is necessary for the efficient

continuation of an activity or for the safety of people; and

k) using water for recreational purposes.

Any activities that take place within a water course or within 500 m of a wetland boundary require a Water

Use Licence (WUL) under the Section 21 (c) and Section 21 (i) of the NWA. The need for a Water Use

Licence will be determined in the EIA Phase.

2.2.6 National Environmental Management: Protected Area Act, 2003 (Act No.57 of 2003)

The aim of this Act is to provide for the protection and conservation of ecologically viable areas, which are

representative of South Africa’s Biodiversity, as well as natural landscapes and seascapes.

2.2.7 National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No.39 of 2004)

The main objective of the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act (NEMAQA) is the protection

of the environment and human health in a sustainable (economic, social and ecological) development

framework, through reasonable measures of air pollution control. The proposed Gas Plant will require an

Atmospheric Emissions Licence which will be applied for concurrently with the EIA process.

2.2.8 Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No.85 of 1993)

To provide for the health and safety of persons at work and for the health and safety of persons in

connection with the use of plant and machinery; the protection of persons other than persons at work

against hazards to health and safety arising out of or in connection with the activities of persons at work.

It should be noted that in terms of the Major Hazardous Installation Regulations, 2001 (GNR 692) and

Schedule A of the General Machinery Regulations GNR 1521 the proposed project does constitute a MHI

facility and as such an MHI assessment will be undertaken as part of the EIA phase.

2.2.9 The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 (Act No.43 of 1983)

The Act focuses on soil conservation, control of the utilization and protection of wetlands, control and

prevention of veld fires, control of weeds and invader plants. The act as amended in March 2001 set out

the regulations regarding the control of weeds and invasive plants and provides a list of declared plants.


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2.2.10 Hazardous Substance Act (No15 of 1973)

Provides for the definition, classification, use, operation, modification, disposal or dumping of hazardous

substances.

2.2.11 National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No.59 of 2008) (NEM:WA)

The NEM:WA provides reasonable measures for the prevention of pollution and ecological degradation and

for securing ecologically sustainable development. One of its main objectives is to protect health, wellbeing

and the environment by providing reasonable measures for securing ecologically sustainable development

while promoting justifiable economic and social development.

2.2.12 National Heritage Resource Act (No 25 of 1999) and Regulations

No person may, without a permit issued by the responsible heritage resources authority destroy, damage,

excavate, alter, deface or otherwise disturb any archaeological or paleontological site. No person may,

without a permit issued by the South African Heritage Resource Agency (SAHRA) or a provincial heritage

resources authority destroy, damage, alter, exhume, remove from its original position or otherwise disturb

any grave or burial ground older than 60 years which is situated outside a formal cemetery administered by

a local authority. A grave is widely defined in the Act to include the contents, headstone or other marker of

such a place, and any other structure on or associated with such place.

This EIA process also takes consideration the following legislation

• South African National Standard SANS 10103:2008 (The Measurement and Rating of

Environmental Noise with Respect to Annoyance and Speech Communication).

• National Noise Control Regulations (1998).

2.3 REGIONAL PLANS

The following regional plans were or will be considered during the execution of the EIA (amongst others):

• The municipal Spatial Development Framework (SDF);

• The municipal Integrated Development Plan (IDP); and

• Other relevant national, provincial, district and local policies, strategies, plans and programmes.


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3 SCOPING AND EIA PROCESS AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The NEMA EIA Regulations (2014) were promulgated and came into effect on 04 December 2014. The

Amendments to the EIA Regulations, 2014, published in Government Notice R326 in Government Gazette

No. 40772 came into effect on 7 April 2017. These Regulations regulate the procedure and criteria as

contemplated in Chapter 5 of the Act relating to the preparation, evaluation, submission, processing and

consideration of, and decision on, applications for environmental authorisations for the commencement of

activities, subjected to environmental impact assessment, in order to avoid or mitigate detrimental impacts

on the environment, and to optimise positive environmental impacts, and for matters pertaining thereto.

3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT TRIGGERS AND AUTHORITIES

Based on the types of activities or scope involved in this development, the requisite environmental

assessment for the project is a Scoping and EIA process. Refer to Chapter 2 for the project’s legal

framework and specifically the activities triggered by the project in terms of Listing Notices 2 of the EIA

Regulations, 2014).

In terms of S24C of NEMA All the Utilities Infrastructure/Electricity /Generation/Non

Renewable/Hydrocarbon – Petroleum development are adjudicated by the Department of Environment,

Forestry and Fisheries. Due to the geographic location of the project the Department of Environment and

Nature Conservation is regarded as one of the key commenting authorities in terms of NEMA during the

execution of the EIA, and all documentation will thus be copied to this Department (amongst others).

Various other authorities with jurisdiction over elements of the receiving environment or project activities will

also be consulted during the course of the EIA. Refer to the database of Interested and Affected Parties

(IAPs) contained in Appendix D for a list of the government departments that were notified during the EIA

process to date.

3.1.1 LISTED ACTIVITIES

Table 7: Listed Activities



Activity 24 The development of a road—

(i) for which an environmental authorisation was

obtained for the route determination in

terms of activity 5 in Government Notice

387 of 2006 or activity 18 in Government

Notice 545 of 2010; or

Eight meter wide access roads

will be constructed as part of the

internal road network.


15

(ii) with a reserve wider than 13,5 meters, or

where no reserve exists where the road is

wider than 8 metres;

but excluding a road—

(a) which is identified and included in activity 27 in Listing

Notice 2 of 2014;

(b) where the entire road falls within an urban area; or (c)

which is 1 kilometre or shorter.




infrastructure for the generation of electricity from a non-

renewable resource where the electricity output is 20

megawatts or more.

The Gas Plant will have a total

output of approximately 100MW

of electricity.


infrastructure, for the storage, or storage and handling of

a dangerous good, where such storage occurs in

containers with a combined capacity of more than 500

cubic metres.

Storage of up to 2800m3 fuel

(LPG /Diesel/ very low sulphur oil)

Activity 6 The development of facilities or infrastructure for any

process or activity which requires a permit or licence or

an amended permit or licence in terms of national or

provincial legislation governing the generation or release

of emissions, pollution or effluent, excluding ─

(i) activities which are identified and included in Listing

Notice 1 of 2014;

(ii) activities which are included in the list of waste

management activities published in terms of section 19 of

the National Environmental Management: Waste Act,

2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008) in which case the National

Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 applies;

(iii) the development of facilities or infrastructure for the

treatment of effluent, polluted water, wastewater or

sewage where such facilities have a daily throughput

capacity of 2 000 cubic metres or less; or

(iv) where the development is directly related to

aquaculture facilities or infrastructure where the

wastewater discharge capacity will not exceed 50 cubic

metres per day.

The Gas Plant will make use of

turbines or engines which will

require an air emissions license in

terms of NEM:AQA Act No. 39 of

2004.


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3.2 PURPOSE OF EIA

The purpose of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is to provide decision-makers (Government

Authorities) with adequate and appropriate information about the potential positive and negative impacts of

a proposed development and associated management actions in order to make an informed decision

whether or not to approve the development.

For the EIA processes to retain their role and usefulness in supporting decision-making, the involvement of

specialists in EIA needs to be improved in order to:

• Add greater value to project planning and design;

• Adequately evaluate reasonable alternatives;

• Accurately predict and assess potential project benefits and negative impacts;

• Provide practical recommendations for avoiding or adequately managing negative impacts and

enhancing benefits;

• Supply enough relevant information at the most appropriate stage of the EIA process to address

adequately the key issues and concerns, and effectively inform decision-making in support of

sustainable development.

3.3 SCOPING AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTING

All the listed activity identified follow S&EIA in accordance to EIA Regulations, 2014 as amended. The

approach therefore entails five (5) distinctive phases:

• Phase 1: Consultation, Application and Scoping Report

• Phase 2: Specialist Studies

• Phase 3: Environmental Impact Assessment

• Phase 4: Public Participation Process (PPP).

• Phase 5: Environmental Authorization


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Figure 2: EIA process flow


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3.3.1 SCOPING PROCESS

The purpose of Scoping, which constitutes the first phase of the formal EIA process, is as follows:

• Identify the legal framework in terms of the proposed project;

• Identify and engage with IAPs and allow for adequate participation in the process;

• Duly consider alternatives for achieving the project’s objectives;

• Identify significant issues to be investigated further during the execution of the EIA phase;

• Clarify the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in the process;

• Determine the scope of the ensuing EIA phase, in terms of specialist studies, public participation,

assessment of impacts and appraisal of alternatives; and

• Allow for informed decision-making by DEFF and other authorities with regard to the EIA process.

3.3.2 IDENTIFICATION OF INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES AND DATABASE

MANAGEMENT

I&APs representing the following sectors of society have been identified (see Appendix of the preliminary

I&AP database):

a. National and Provincial Government Representatives:

• Department of Environmental, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF);

• Department of Water & Sanitation (DWS);

• Department of Agriculture;

• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);

• Department of Energy (DoE);

• National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESRA);

• South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA); and

• Relevant Northern Cape Provincial Authorities (ex. Environment & Conservation, Agriculture).

b. Relevant Local and District Municipalities:

• Pixley ka Seme District Municipality; and

• Emthanjeni Local Municipality.

c. State-owned Entities (SoE) – Eskom;

d. Affected and surrounding landowners;

e. Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations; and

f. Community based organisations.


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3.3.3 LANDOWNER CONSENT

According to Regulation 39(1) of GN No. 326 (7 April 2017), if the proponent is not the owner or person in

control of the land on which the activity is to be undertaken, the proponent must, before applying for an

environmental authorisation in respect of such activity, obtain the written consent of the landowner or

person in control of the land to undertake such activity on that land. The entire project site belongs to a

private farmer and the proof of landowner consent is attached in Appendix D.

3.3.4 ADVERTISMENT OF THE SCOPING PROCESS

In order to notify and inform the public of the proposed project and invite I&APs to register on the project

database, the project and EIA Process will be advertised in the De Aar Echo and the Noordkaap bulletin for

both English and Afrikaans concurrently with the release of this Draft Scoping Report. Copies of the

advertisements placed will be contained in Appendix D of the Draft Scoping Report.

Regulation 41 (2) (a) of the 2014 EIA Regulations require that a notice board providing information on the

project and EIA Process is fixed at a place that is conspicuous to and accessible by the public at the

boundary, on the fence or along the corridor of the site where the application will be undertaken or any

alternative site. A copy of the notice boards and proof of placement thereof will be included in the Final

Scoping Report

The participation of all Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) has become a fundamental principle of

numerous pieces of legislation, including the NEMA, all of which are relevant to the proposed project. The

primary aims of the public participation process during the Environmental Scoping Study are:

• To inform Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) of the proposed project;

• To identify issues, comments and concerns as raised by I&APs;

• To promote transparency and an understanding of the project and its consequences;

• To serve as a structure for liaison and communication with I&APs; and

• To provide local knowledge and input in identifying potential environmental (biophysical and social)

impacts and “hotspots” associated with the proposed development.

Individuals as well as organisations must have an opportunity to contribute / comment on the project. The

following sectors of stakeholders are examples of who may be included in a stakeholder database register:

• National, provincial and relevant local authorities.

• Environmental and conservation NGOs.

• Legal NGOs.

• Commercial concerns and associations.

• Stakeholder representatives, development bodies in the immediate vicinity.

• Local groupings in the vicinity.


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3.3.5 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PROJECT

In compliance with the EIA Regulations (2014), notification of the commencement of the ESS process was

undertaken by means of the following (see Appendix D for public announcement documentation):

• Publication of media advertisement in the De Aar Echo on 12 March 2021 and the

Noordkaap Bulletin on 11 March 2021.

• On-site notices placed from beginning March 2021, detailing the proposed development, the

BA process and an invitation to register and comment. Notices were placed at strategic places

on site and in the vicinity of the site (along the road, at intersections, etc.) as well as at high

frequented places within the town of De Aar; and

• Distribution of letters by email and post to I&APs and telephonic calls.

3.3.6 SCOPING REPORT PUBLIC REVIEW

A period of 30 calendar days will be allowed for public comment. The availability of the Draft Reports will be

announced by way of:

• All initial contact with I&APs;

• Personalised letters to all I&APs on the database;

• Posters at selected public places to announce the opportunity to comment; and

• The printed media (where necessary).

The reports will be distributed for comment as follows:

• Public places such as libraries, municipal offices and community centres throughout the study area

where the broader public can have access to it (where applicable);

• CD copy available on request by key stakeholders; and

• Available on the STEC website.

A key assumption in the formulation of this approach is that STEC has access to the previous public

participation database used in the previous EIA process.

3.3.7 SUBMISSION OF SCOPING REPORT TO DEFF FOR DECISION

After the 30 days review period an updated Scoping Report, reflecting all the comments received, will be

submitted to the DEFF for decision-making in line with Regulation 22 of the 2014 EIA Regulations, as

amended. In line with best practice, I&APs on the project database will be notified of the submission of the

Scoping Report to the DEFF for decision-making.

The Final Scoping Report that is submitted for decision-making will also include proof of the PPP that was

undertaken to inform organs of state and I&APs of the availability of the Draft Scoping Report for the 30 day

review (Section 3.3.6). It will also include proof of the newspaper advertisements placed, site notices places

and all other communications with I&Aps (See Appendix D for PP documents).


21

The DEFF will have 43 days (from receipt of the Final Scoping Report) to either accept the Scoping

Reports with or without conditions, or refuse the report. This step marks the end of the PPP for the Scoping

Phase. The PPP for the subsequent EIA Phase is presented in the Plan of Study for EIA (Section 8).

3.4 SCHEDULE FOR THE EIA

The proposed schedule for the EIA, based on the legislated EIA Process, is presented in Appendix E of

this report. The schedule highlights actions going forward for the proposed Gas Plant project. It should be

noted that this schedule could be revised during the EIA Process, depending on factors such as time

required by the authorities to make an informed decision. Furthermore, the schedule assumes that

preferred bidder status will be received from the DoE for the RMIPPPP and as such this project will be

regarded a Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP).


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4 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

4.1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The proposed project involves the establishment of a 100 MW Gas Plant located within Portion A of the

remaining extent of the Farm Vetlaagte 4, within Emthanjeni Local Municipality, De Aar, Northern Cape

Province. Portion A is currently authorised for the establishment of a 75 MW Solar PV facility. The Gas

Plant will be located within the currently approved PV facility footprint, and will complement the site by way

of allowing it to be a hybrid electricity generating site as favored by the DoE within the RMIPPPP.

The Applicant has not made a selection on the type of technology that will be used to generate the 100MW

of electricity as a vendor has not been selected as yet (due to various factors such as local economic

development parameters set out by the DoE, etc.). Therefore this EIA will assess both potential

technologies (Engines and Turbines) as the preferred technology. In addition the Turbines / Engines will be

fueled by either LPG gas, diesel or very low Sulphur oil (or a combination of it). As such this assessment

will consider all the potential impacts from the potential fuel sources as the preferred alternative.

Section 4.10 below provides more details on the technology alternatives and design alternatives that will be

assessed within the EIA phase of the project.

4.2 SITE LOCATION

The project is located on Portion A of the remaining extent of the Farm Vetlaagte 4, within Emthanjeni Local

Municipality, Northern Cape Province. The site is approximately 6km east of the town of De Aar. The

proposed project has a footprint of <5ha located within the approved Solar PV site. Approximate center of

the study area is 30°39' 00.97"S; 24°05' 35.03"E. Refer to Figure 3 below as well as Appendix A.


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Figure 3: Locality Map for the proposed development


24

4.3 SITE ACCESS

The site will be accessed from the town of De Aar via the R48 and the Caroluspoort road. Within the site

itself, internal access roads will be constructed as per the approved Solar PV plant to facilitate the

movement of delivery vehicles, trucks and private vehicles.

4.4 CURRENT STATUS QUO OF THE SITE

The site is currently used for livestock grazing (sheep, cattle, and game species). The site is currently

approved for the construction of a Solar PV plant.

4.5 WATER & ELECTRICITY DEMAND AND SUPPLY

Water will be supplied from the Local Municipality during the construction and operational phases. As per

the previous EIA report, electricity for the construction phase will be supplied by Eskom.

4.6 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The proposed development is to complement the approved Solar PV park, and as such the construction

force that will be deployed to construct the PV will also construct the Gas Plant.

4.7 WASTE AND RECYCLING

The EMP which will form part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report will address waste

management practices to be implemented. During the design phase of the project, targets will be set for the

re-use of construction waste materials thereby limiting waste sent to landfill (i.e. goal would be zero waste

to landfill during construction and operational phases)

4.8 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

• No hardened channels for stormwater management.

• Enhance stormwater systems so that they become an amenity and promote biodiversity and open

space for people to enjoy.

4.9 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT CYCLE

4.9.1 CONSTRUCTION

The construction phase will take place subsequent to the issuing of an Environmental Authorisation (EA).

The construction phase for the proposed project is expected to extend over a period of between 12 - 18

months, assuming normal daylight working hours are in place.


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The construction phase will involve the transportation of personnel, construction material and equipment to

the site, and personnel away from the site. Most of the technology to be used will come in mobile

containers from the manufacturers. In terms of site establishment, laydown areas will be required at the

outset of the construction phase, as well as dedicated access routes from the laydown areas to the working

areas. Haul roads for construction traffic (for the delivery of concrete, road materials and other construction

materials) will be required.

The laydown area will either be located adjacent to or at the project site. It is expected that the laydown

area will be temporary in nature (for the duration of the construction phase) and will include the

establishment of the construction site camp (including site offices and other temporary facilities for the

appointed Contractors). The laydown area is expected to cover an area less than 1 ha (depending on the

contracting strategy at the time). If the laydown area is located outside of the footprint of the facility itself,

the area will thereafter be rehabilitated (i.e. returned to its pre-construction condition) at the end of the

construction phase.

All efforts will be made to ensure that all construction work will be undertaken in compliance with local,

provincial and national legislation, local and international best practice, as well as the Environmental

Management Programme (EMPr), which will be compiled during the EIA Phase and included in the EIA

Report. During the construction phase, both skilled and unskilled temporary employment opportunities will

be created. It is difficult to specify the actual number of employment opportunities that will be created at this

stage.

4.9.2 Operation and Maintenance

The anticipated date of the start of operations of the proposed project is dependent on several external

factors such as being selected by the DoE as a preferred bidder. The following activities will occur during

the operational phase:

• Generation of electricity f

The projected operations are expected to provide fewer services especially in maintenance of the plant.

The operational phase of the project is expected to create limited skilled employment opportunities.

4.9.3 Decommissioning

The main aim of decommissioning is to return the land to its original, pre-construction condition. Should the

unlikely need for decommissioning arise (i.e. if the facility becomes outdated or the land needs to be used

for other purposes), the decommissioning procedures will be undertaken in line with the EMPr and the site

will be rehabilitated and returned to its pre-construction state.

4.10 ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVES

The assessment of alternatives is an objective of the EIA Regulations of 2014 as amended. The Integrated

Environmental Management (IEM) procedure requires that an environmental investigation needs to


26

consider feasible alternatives for any proposed development. Therefore, the Department of Environment,

Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) requires that a number of possible proposals or alternatives for

accomplishing the same objectives should be considered. To ensure that the proposed development

enables sustainable development, feasible alternatives must be explored.

In the case of the proposed development, possible alternatives were identified through discussions with the

project team, reviewing of existing environmental data, and specialist inputs/studies.

In terms of the NEMA Regulations, 2014 (as amended), the definition of alternatives is given as:

‘Alternatives’ in relation to a proposed activity, means different means of meeting the general purpose and

requirement of the activity, which may include alternatives to the –

(a) property on which or location where the activity is proposed to be undertaken;

(b) type of activity to be undertaken;

(c) design or layout of the activity;

(d) technology to be used in the activity; or

(e) operational aspects of the activity and includes the option of not implementing the activity;

Alternatives for the development were considered as follows:

4.10.1 LOCATION ALTERNATIVES

The proposed project is to optimize the BID submitted to the DoE as part of the RMIPPPP, and as such an

alternative site is not feasible. However the EIA will assess an area much larger than the proposed footprint

of the proposed project to allow for micro-sitting as needed.

4.10.2 ACTIVITY ALTERNATIVES

The proposed activity is to create a hybrid electricity generating facility to meet the requirements of the

RMIPPPP. Therefore no activity alternatives have been considered for this application


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4.10.3 DESIGN OR LAYOUT ALTERNATIVES

The proposed project is to optimize the BID submitted to the DoE as part of the RMIPPPP, and as such an alternative site is not feasible. However

the EIA will assess an area much larger than the proposed footprint of the proposed project to allow for micro-sitting as needed. The design of the

project can only be finalized once preferred bidder status is issued and a vendor has been selected according to the DoE’s criteria on local economic

development content. A conceptual layout of the Gas engine / turbine plant is provided below:

Figure 4: Conceptual layout


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4.10.4 TECHNOLOGY ALTERNATIVES

It is anticipated that the Gas Turbines / Engines will run for approximately 8 - 12 hours per day, and will

supply electricity into the grid during low Solar periods (to compliment the approved Solar PV Park). It

should be noted that the Gas Turbines will be air cooled and will not require water for cooling purposes,

and the Engines may require water for cooling depending on which vendor is selected. This will be further

assessed within the EIA phase of the project.

Below are examples of Turbines and Engines that are currently being considered for the proposed project:

Engines:

Jenbacher J920

The Jenbacher J920 engine has an output of approximately 10MW electrical with high efficiency levels of

up to 49%. The engine provides a stable output with reliable efficiency in any ambient conditions. The fast

and easy installation coupled with simple maintenance makes this a desirable engine choice

(https://www.clarke-energy.com/gas-engines/type-9-gas-engine/).

Figure 5: Jenbacher J920 Engine

Wartsila W 20V34SG

The Wärtsilä 34SG is a four-stroke, spark-ignited, lean-burn gas engine generating set. Its agility and

flexibility, plus the high efficiency delivered over the entire load range and in any operating profile, makes

the Wärtsilä 34SG generating set an excellent choice for both flexible baseload and peak load, and for

supporting the grid with variety of ancillary services. It also offers unique fast-starting capability, which

enables rapid response to fluctuations inherent to renewable generation. The 20V engine provides for an


29

electrical output of approximately 10MW. The genset is easily transported as one piece already assembled.

The dimensions of the engine are: Length (13m) x width (3.3m) x height (4.5m)

(https://www.wartsila.com/docs/default-source/power-plants-documents/downloads/product-

leaflets/w34sg_leaflet.pdf).

Figure 6: Wartsila W 20V 34SG engine

Turbines:

GE Power: TM2500

The TM2500 turbine has an electrical output of up to 36 MW with an efficiency of up to 37%. The turbine

can be installed within 11 days depending on logistics. The TM2500 is a proven solution for providing a

baseload bridge to permanent power installations or for generating backup power in the wake of natural

disasters, plant shutdowns, grid instability or isolated locations (https://www.ge.com/power/gas/gas-

turbines/tm2500).

https://www.wartsila.com/docs/default-source/power-plants-documents/downloads/product-leaflets/w34sg_leaflet.pdf

https://www.wartsila.com/docs/default-source/power-plants-documents/downloads/product-leaflets/w34sg_leaflet.pdf


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Figure 7: GE TM2500 turbine

Solar Turbines: Titan 130

The Solar Turbines Titan 130 turbine has an electrical output of up to 16 MW with a high efficiency. The

Turbine is designed for long-life industrial applications with a proven track record of over 20 years. The

dimensions of the turbine: length (19m) x width (6m) x height (4m) which includes space for maintenance.

(https://www.solarturbines.com/en_US/products/power-generation-packages/titan-130.html).

Figure 8: Solar Turbine Titan 130


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ALTERNATIVES THAT ARE CONSIDERED:

An Alternative that will be assessed in the EIA phase is that of a Conventional Boiler with a steam turbine

when compared to the Engines / Turbines.

Figure 9: Typical Boiler illustration

The storage of fuel has two options that have been considered for this project. The fuel can be stored in the

typical “bullets” or in that of a sphere, as shown below. The Sphere storage tanks:

• Allow for the optimisation of space as it has a smaller footprint;

• Are more expensive than its counter part;

• Have a greater height than that of the bullet tanks (thus resulting in a much higher visual impact);

• Are more difficult to decommission;

• Have a higher degree of risk and downtime due to the difficulty in maintenance;

• Take longer to construct than the bullet storage tanks;

• Require some cooling mechanism to keep gas temperatures lower within the tanks.

The bullet storage tanks can be designed and built to specification as required by the plant. It is envisaged

that four (4) bullet storage tanks will be constructed holding up to 700 m3 of fuel each (totaling 2800m3 of

fuel). This will allow for continuous operation of the plant while ensuring maintenance is completed. For

the reasons mentioned above it is not feasible to utilise the sphere storage tanks on the proposed sites,

and as such it will no longer be considered as an alternative and taken forward into the EIA phase of the

project.


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Figure 10: Typical Bullet set up

Figure 11: Sphere storage tanks


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4.10.5 OPERATIONAL ALTERNATIVES

There are no operational alternatives applicable to this project.

4.10.6 NO-GO ALTERNATIVE

The no-go option entails that the development site stays in the current state. If the proposed development

would not continue and the no-go option is pursued it will imply that the already approved Solar PV Park

will be the only electricity generating facility that would be constructed. This however will not meet the

requirements of the RMIPPPP process and as such the applicant is unlikely to get preferred bidder status.

This implies that the electricity shortfall and the requirements of the IRP 2019 will not be fulfilled. In this

instance, it is not recommended that the No-Go option be followed

4.11 NEED AND DESIRABILITY

It is an important requirement in the EIA Process to review the need and desirability of the proposed project.

The critical aim of investigating the need and desirability of a proposed project revolves around determining

suitability (i.e. is the activity proposed in the right location for the suggested land-use/activity) and timing (i.e.

is it the right time to develop a given activity?).

As South Africa’s population and economy continue to grow, so does the electricity demand and the strain

it places on natural resources. Renewable energy is the fastest-growing electricity source, displacing fossil

fuel-electricity which ensures the transition towards more sustainable electricity production. Though solar

energy offers low-carbon electricity generation, its utilisation is characterised by two major constraints.

The first constraint is that solar PV is an intermittent electricity-generating resource. This means that solar

electricity production is not continuous and is not always available for meeting electricity demand on the

grid. Solar electricity generation varies geographically and temporally (by hour, day, and season) with

changes in solar irradiance and cloud cover. Not only is solar generation variable, but it is also consistently

unavailable in the early mornings and evenings before the sun has risen or after the sun has set. This daily

decline in solar electricity production happens to coincide with the daily increase in electricity demand every

morning and evening as thousands of electricity customers are home and use their electrical appliances

(peak demand). To meet this daily peak demand, South Africa relies on coal-fired power plants, which can

quickly dispatch electricity to the grid. The second constraint on solar electricity is the potential for solar

power plants to produce more electricity during the day than is needed by customers, causing potential

damage to the grid. Given the inflexibility of the grid, Grid operators must always maintain an exact balance

between electricity generation and electricity demand on the grid. Thus, challenges with solar intermittency

and over-generation may cause serious issues in maintaining the integrity and reliability of the grid.


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Furthermore, the establishment of Gas Turbines/ Engines in conjunction with a Solar PV facility will create

a hybrid electricity generation facility. This Hybrid power generation facility will have a higher dispatchability

and allow for the generation of electricity for more hours of the day, as is desired in The Risk Mitigated

Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) currently underway by the Department

of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) (which was BID for by the Applicant).

The project will add new generation capacity under the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer

Procurement Program (RMIPPPP). The IRP 2019 indicates that there is a short-term electricity supply gap

of approximately 2 000 MW between 2019 and 2022. The objective of the RMIPPPP is to fill the current

short-term supply gap, alleviate the current electricity supply constraints. One of the DMRE’s conditions to

tender the project under the RMIPPPP is that all projects must be able to operate between 5h00 and 21h30

in order to supply the grid during peak hours early in the morning and late afternoon when the sun has set,

which can be done by using Gas Turbines / Engines.

Table 8 includes a list of questions to determine the need and desirability of the proposed project.

Table 8: Determination of the Need and Desirability of the development

No. Question Response

1. Is the land use (associated with the activity being applied for)

considered within the timeframe intended by the existing

approved Spatial Development Framework (SDF) agreed to by

the relevant environmental authority? (i.e. is the proposed

development in line with the projects and programmes identified

as priorities within the IDP).

The proposed project will be

located with an already approved

site for a PV facility.

2. Should development, or if applicable, expansion of the

town/area concerned in terms of this land use (associated with

the activity being applied for) occur here at this point in time?

The Town of De Aar, is already

established and the proposed site

is located within a private farm.

3. Does the community/area need the activity and the associated

land use concerned (is it a societal priority)? This refers to the

strategic as well as local level (e.g. development is a national

priority, but within a specific local context it could be

inappropriate)

The site is already approved for

the establishment of a Solar PV

facility for electricity generation

purposes as required by the IRP

of 2019.

4. Are the necessary services with appropriate capacity currently

available (at the time of application), or must additional capacity

be created to cater for the development?

Yes


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5. Is this development provided for in the infrastructure planning of

the municipality, and if not what will the implication be on the

infrastructure planning of the municipality (priority and

placement of services)

The proposed project is located

on an already approved PV

facility.

6. Is this project part of a national programme to address an issue

of national concern or importance?

Yes, IRP 2019

7. Is the development the best practicable environmental option

(BPEO) for this land/site?

The proposed project will

compliment the already approved

PV facility to allow the site to be a

hybrid electricity generating site.

8. Would the approval of this application compromise the integrity

of the existing approved municipal IDP and SDF as agreed to by

the relevant authorities?

No

9. Would the approval of this application compromise the integrity

of the existing environmental management priorities for the area

(e.g. as defined in EMFs), and if so, can it be justified in terms of

sustainability considerations?

No

10. Do location factors favour this land use (associated with the

activity applied for) at this place? (this relates to the

contextualisation of the proposed land use on this site within its

broader context).

Yes, The proposed project is

located on an already approved

PV facility.

11. How will the activity or the land use associated with the activity

applied for, impact on sensitive natural and cultural areas (built

and rural/natural environment)



facility. The EIA phase of the

project will identify and assess

potential impacts of the project.

12. How will the development impact on people’s health and

wellbeing (e.g. in terms of noise, odours, visual character and

sense of place, etc.)?






13. Will the proposed activity or the land use associated with the

activity applied for, result in unacceptable opportunity costs?

No


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14. Will the proposed land use result in unacceptable cumulative

impacts?






4.12 ASSUMPTIONS

This Scoping exercise is followed by the assumptions and limitations of the development:

• In accordance with the purpose of Scoping, the report does not include detailed specialist

investigations on the receiving environment, which will only form part of the EIA phase. The

environment in the project area was primarily assessed in the Scoping phase through site visits

and appraisals, desktop screening, incorporating existing information from previous studies, and

input received from authorities and IAPs. A refinement of all maps will also be undertaken in the

EIA phase, if necessary.

• All information contained within this report was true and relevant at the time of compilation of the

report.


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5 RECIEVING ENVIRONMENT

This chapter of the Scoping Report provides an overview of the affected environment for the proposed Gas

Engines project and the surrounding region. The receiving environment is understood to include biophysical,

socio-economic and heritage aspects which could be affected by the proposed development or which in

turn might impact on the proposed development. This information is provided to identify the potential issues

and impacts of the proposed project on the environment. The information presented here has been sourced

from:

• Scoping input from the commissioned specialists that form part of the project team;

• Review of information available on the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)

Biodiversity Geographical Information System (BGIS) and Agricultural Geo-Referenced Information

System (AGIS); and

• Basic Assessment & correlating specialist studies, as well as the full Scoping & EIA conducted on

the same site in 2020 and 2012 respectively.

It is important to note that this chapter intends to provide an overview and does not represent a detailed

environmental study. Detailed studies focused on significant environmental aspects of this project will be

provided during the EIA Phase.

5.1 CLIMATE AND RAINFALL

The study area is situated in a drier rainfall region (201+ mm to 400 mm) of South Africa and within the

Cold Interior Climate Zone. Refer to Figure 12 and Figure 13. The average annual rainfall for De Aar is

approximately 297 mm (en.climate-data.org).

Rainfall in the regions peaks in early autumn (March). The mean annual precipitation (MAP) across the

region ranges from about 190 mm in the west to 400 mm in the northeast. Mean maximum and minimum

monthly temperatures for Britstown are 37,9°C and –3,6°C for January and July, respectively.

Corresponding values are 37,1°C and –4,8°C for De Aar and 39,0°C and –2,3°C for Kareekloof (northwest

of Strydenburg) (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006).


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Figure 12: Rainfall zones of South Africa


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Figure 13: Climatic zones of South Africa

5.2 TOPOGRAPHY

The topography of the study area is that of flat to gently undulating plains, with isolated hills, mountains and

inselbergs. Many of these mountains have flat, plateaus. Broad but shallow valleys or ancient watercourses

and drainage lines are spread throughout the area, in which highly seasonal and ephemeral streams flow.

The study site is situated on flat to gently undulating plains with a broad shallow valley / ancient floodplain

along the eastern boundaries. The average height above sea level (asl) across the remaining extent of the

farm Vetlaagte 4 is from 1 246 m to 1 285 m with a downward slope from south to north and west to east,

with an average slope of 1,2%.

5.3 GEOLOGY AND SOILS

The Geology of the site is that of Shales of the Volksrust Formation and to a lesser extent the Prince Albert

Formation (both of the Ecca Group) as well as Dwyka Group diamictites form the underlying geology of the

study site and area in which Northern Upper Karoo veldtype dominants. Jurassic Karoo Dolerite sills and


40

sheets support this vegetation complex in places. Superficial deposits, including calcretes, of the Kalahari

Group cover wide stretches of land in the region (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006). Soils are variable from

shallow to deep, red-yellow, apedal, freely drained soils to very shallow Glenrosa and Mispah forms. Land

types are mostly those of Ae, Ag and Fc. Refer to Table 9 for short description of the land types found in

the region.

Table 9: Description of land types found in the region

Land Type Description

Ae Red-yellow apedal, freely drained soils (Red, high base status soils, > 300 mm deep, without

dunes). Moderately deep (average 500-1200 mm) red, freely drained, apedal (= structureless)

soils. Soils occur in areas associated with low to moderate rainfall (300-700 mm per annum) in

the interior of South Africa and have a high fertility status. A wide range of texture occurs

(usually sandy loam to sandy clay loam).

Ag Red-yellow apedal, freely drained soils (Red, high base status soils, < 300 mm deep). These

shallow (< 300 mm), red, freely-drained, apedal (= structureless) soils occur in arid to semi-arid

areas associated with low rainfall (< 500 mm per annum) and are underlain by hard to

weathered rock. A wide range of textures may occur (usually loamy sand to sandy loam).

Stones or rocks are often present on the soil surface.

Fc Glenrosa and/or Mispah forms (other soils may occur); lime generally present in the entire

landscape. Generally shallow soils consisting of a topsoil directly underlain by weathered rock

(Glenrosa form) or hard rock (Mispah form), sometimes with surface rock and steep slopes.

Found in drier areas than some of the broad soils patterns of the region or areas on base-rich

parent materials, so that lime occurs throughout the landscape.

5.4 LAND USE

The landcover of the study area is predominantly open, Karoo shrubland, with little to no development,

dwellings and structures. The area is mostly used for grazing of livestock, with low levels of cultivation type

agriculture. The levels of urbanisation are very low, with the small town of De Aar being the highest nearby

urban area.

5.5 BIODIVERSITY BACKGROUND

5.5.1 Vegetation

The study site is situated in the Nama-Karoo Biome of South Africa. Refer to Figure 14. The site is within

the original extent of the veldtype (or ecosystem) known as Northern Upper Karoo. The veldtype is part of

the Upper Karoo Bioregion of the Nama-Karoo Biome.

The Nama-Karoo flora is not particularly rich, and in comparison with analogous biomes on other continents,

does not stand out in contrast to the Succulent Karoo (Cowling et al. 1998). The Nama-Karoo Biome does

not contain any centre of endemism (Van Wyk & Smith 2001). Unlike other biomes of South Africa, local

endemism is very low (with the highest number of local endemics concentrated in the Upper Karoo

Hardeveld). Asteraceae (daisy family), Fabaceae (pea family) and Poaceae (grasses) are the dominant


41

families in the Nama-Karoo, which is common in the floral make-up of arid and semi-arid regions. In the

north and east of the Nama-Karoo Biome Poaceae, Fabaceae and elements of tropical summer-rainfall

floras (i.e. Acanthaceae, Capparaceae and Cucurbitaceae) become more prevalent (Mucina & Rutherford,

2006, 2010).

The Nama-Karoo Biome is subdivided into three broad Bioregions, namely, Upper Karoo, Lower Karoo and

Bushmanland & West Griqualand. Refer to Figure 14. The hierarchy of the vegetation units (veldtypes) in

which the study site is situated is shown below in Table 10.

Table 10: Hierarchy of vegetation of the study site

Category Description Classification

Biome Nama-Karoo

Bioregion Upper Karoo

Vegetation Types Northern Upper Karoo

Conservation Status Least Threatened / Least Concern

Figure 14: Biomes


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Northern Upper Karoo is a veldtype (or ecosystem) that is characterised by shrubland dominated by dwarf

Karoo shrubs, grasses and Acacia mellifera subsp. detinens (Vachellia mellifera) and some other low small

trees (especially on sandy soils in the northern parts and vicinity of the Orange River). The topography

tends to be flat to gently sloping plains, with isolated hills of Upper Karoo Hardeveld in the south and

Vaalbos Rocky Shrubland in the northeast and with many interspersed pans (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006).

5.5.2 Protected Trees

The only potential protected tree species occurring in the region and potentially the study site is the

Shepherd’s tree (Boscia albitrunca). However, during previous investigations (Hoare, 2012) and the latest

investigations undertaken for this study on the 11th of October 2020, no Shepherd’s trees were found on

site. It is therefore safe to say that there are no protected trees in the study area.

5.5.3 CONSERVATION STATUS

The study site is situated within the veldtype of Northern Upper Karoo, which is not a threatened ecosystem.

For the conservation statuses of the veldtypes (ecosystems) and a short description of their statuses refer

to Table 11.

Table 11: Veldtype status

Veldtype Status Information

Northern Upper Karoo Least

Threatened

(LT)

or Least

Concern

(LC)

Little to no none of the veldtype is conserved in statutory

conservation areas (formal protected areas). About 4%+ has been

cleared for cultivation (the highest proportion of any type in the

Nama-Karoo) or irreversibly transformed by building of dams

(Houwater, Kalkfontein and Smart Syndicate Dams). Areas of

human settlements are increasing in the northeastern part of this

vegetation type (Hoffman et al. 1999). Erosion is moderate

(46.2%), very low (32%) and low (20%).

The Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No.10 of 2004) provides for listing of threatened or protected ecosystems,

in one of four categories: Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU) or protected. The

main purpose for the listing of threatened ecosystems is an attempt to reduce the rate of ecosystem and

species destruction and habitat loss, leading to extinction. This includes preventing further degradation and

loss of structure, function and composition of threatened ecosystems (SANBI). The criteria for determining

the status of an ecosystem (or veldtype) are shown below in Table 12, with the levels or structure shown in

Figure 15 (Mammal Red List, 2016).


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Table 12: Ecosystem Status: Simplified explanation of categories used

STATUS % Transformed Effect on Ecosystem

Least Threatened (LT) /

Least Concerned (LC)

0-20% (<20% loss) No significant disruption of ecosystem functions

Vulnerable (VU) 20-40% (>20% loss) Can result in some ecosystem functions being altered

Endangered (EN) 40-60% (>40% loss) Partial loss of ecosystem functions

Critically Endangered

(CR)

>60% or BT Index for that

specific veldtype

Species loss. Remaining habitat is less than is required

to represent 75% of species diversity

Source: South African National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment Technical Report. Volume 1: Terrestrial Component. 2004. SANBI. Mucina &

Rutherford (eds) (2010).

Note: BT stands for the Biodiversity Threshold and is an index value that differs for each veldtype. In other

words, because the composition, recovery rate, etc. differs for each veldtype there will be a different

threshold (in this case percentage transformed) at which species become extinct and ecosystems

breakdown. That is, at which point the veldtype is critically endangered. For the grassland vegetation units

discussed the index value (BT) is broadly given as 60% and greater.


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Figure 15: Structure of categories used at the regional level

5.5.4 Alien plants identified in the Study Area

During the site investigation a few Alien Plant Species were identified in the study area. The main weed

species present in the area is Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa). Honey Mesquite is a Category 2

declared weed. There were no major areas of invasive weed infestation.

The categories are as set out in the Conservation Act of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 (CARA) (Act 43

of 1983) and more recently NEM:BA, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004): Alien Invasive Species List 2016).

Prosopis glandulosa is regarded as one of the 12 agriculturally most important invasive alien plants in

South Africa, and is widely distributed in Northern Upper Karoo veldtype (Hoffman et al. 1999). Prosopis

occurs in generally isolated patches, with densities ranging from very scattered to medium (associated with

the lower Vaal River drainage system and the confluence with the Orange River) to localised closed

woodland on the western border of the unit with Bushmanland Basin Shrubland (Mucina & Rutherford,

2006).

5.6 FAUNA

5.6.1 Mammals

There is one mammal species of low conservation concern that could potentially occur in the general area,

namely, Geoffroy's Horseshoe Bat. The bat is a cave-dwelling species, which limits its distribution. There


45

are no caves in the study area and therefore no roosting / ideal habitat. However, there is a very low

possibility that there are some bats dwelling in rock crevices in the hills east and northeast of the site.

Black-footed cat and Cape fox are two mammals that are protected under the National Environmental

Management: Biodiversity Act and may potentially occur in the region. It is possible that that these species

may traverse the site while foraging, but that it was unlikely that they would occur there as permanent

residents. This is primarily due to the close proximity of the site to the town of De Aar. The proximity of

humans and domestic animals, such as dogs, are factors that would lead to these animals not occurring on

site (Hoare, 2012).

There are no reptile species of conservation concern that have a distribution that includes the study area.

5.6.2 Avifauna

There are 10 priority bird species that have a medium to medium/high probability of occurring on the study

site from time to time. Seven are threatened species all with a status of ‘Vulnerable’ and three with a status

of ‘Near Threatened’. The species likely to use parts of the site for breeding are the Blue Crane

(Anthropoides paradiseus), Blue Korhaan (Eupodotis caerulescens), Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori), Ludwig’s

Bustard (Neotis ludwigii) and Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius). The other species, the African Marsh

Harrier (Circus ranivorus), Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus), Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni), Martial Eagle

(Polemaetus bellicosus) and Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax), may use the site or parts of the site for foraging.

Large flocks of Lesser Kestrel have been observed in this area during previous field surveys (Hoare, 2012).

According to Hoare (2012) the only faunal species of concern potentially occurring on the study site are

avifaunal species, namely: Blue Crane (VU), Blue Korhaan (NT), Kori Bustard (VU), Ludwig's Bustard (VU),

and Secretarybird (NT).

5.6.3 Faunal Hotspots

The maps below show the areas of South Africa that are hotspots for faunal species of conservation

concern for snakes, lizards and butterflies. Refer to Figure 16, Figure 17 & Figure 18. The study site is not

situated within any quadrants that are hotspots for snakes, lizards or butterflies. The topography and

climate of the study area are not ideal for many species of butterflies and lizards, in particular. Butterflies

tend to be very specific as to the host trees or shrubs they lay their eggs on and the study site is all but void

of trees and shrubs. Lizards ideally prefer rocky outcrops, ridges with good cover and enough vegetation,

which lures in potential prey / food for them. This along with good rainfall leads to the lack of ideal habitats

for many of these faunal groups.


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Figure 16: Snake hotspots

Figure 17: Lizard hotspots


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Figure 18: Butterfly hotspots

5.7 WATERCOURSES AND HYDROLOGY

The aquatic ecology focuses on the natural surface water (watercourses) within the study site. These

watercourses include wetlands, rivers, streams, pans, lakes and natural drainage lines. Manmade

structures such as dams or canals are also considered, although these are not necessary as sensitive as

natural systems. A pan (freshwater and saltwater) is a type of wetland and must be approached as such.

The focus is to delineate watercourses and limit any impact the project might have on these watercourses.

All watercourses in South Africa, regardless of their actual condition or ecological state are, by default,

viewed as sensitive.

5.8 WATERCOURSES IN THE STUDY AREA

There are no perennial rivers or even semi-perennial rivers in the study area. The main river in the region is

the Brak River, which is a semi-perennial river in the area of the study site and that flows north of the study

site in a generalised southeast to northwest direction and eventually into the Orange River. Refer to Figure

19. Mapping datasets from Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) (as used in Figure 19) only shows

two smaller seasonal unnamed streams in the region that are tributaries of the Brak River.

East along the study site is a broad, shallow ancient floodplain or river system that feeds into the Brak River.

The area is clearly visible in satellite photos as a lighter colour than the surrounding areas. However, these

photos can give the false impression that these systems (which are common in the dry Karoo and Kalahari

regions of the country) are active rivers, which they are not. The area east of the study site is a highly


48

erratic and ephemeral watercourse (drainage system), which almost never flows, end to end, even during

periods of significant rainfall. The 1:100 year floodlines do not even extent beyond the boundaries of

drainage system. SANBI Wetland mapping datasets classify the system as a river.

During site investigations (10 & 11 October 2020) some small patches of surface water were found

scattered within the ‘river bed’ / valley area. Many of these are formed by either impounded surface water

flow or boreholes that discharge water into a small impoundment to create a drinking area for livestock.

Both are manmade activities and structures. It is possible that one or two are from natural shallow springs,

but it is difficult to tell due to regular activities in and out of the sites.

The latest dataset for NFEPA systems and Watercourses obtained from SANBI is Wetland Map 5 (2018)

(www.bgis.sanbi.org). According to Wetland Map 5 the watercourse east of the study site is classified as a

river, which is correct and was verified during site investigations (ground-truthing).

Figure 19: Main rivers in the area

5.8.1 Classification of Watercourses in the Study Area

There are no perennial rivers, streams or wetlands in the study area itself. There is a drainage system east

of the site. These watercourses were identified and delineated during field investigations, up to Level 4, in

terms of various levels as refined for South Africa by Kleynhans, et. al. (2005) and used in the Classification

System for Wetlands user manual – SANBI Series 22 (Ollis et. al. 2013). Refer to Table 13.

http://www.bgis.sanbi.org/


49

Table 13: Classification levels 1 - 4

LEVEL 1

System

LEVEL 2

Regional

setting

(Ecoregion)

LEVEL 3

Landscape Unit

LEVEL 4

HGM Unit

HGM Type Landform

Inland SA

Ecoregions

according to

DWS and/or

NFEPA

Valley floor

Slope

Plain

Bench

River Mountain headwater stream

Mountain stream

Transitional stream

Upper foothill

Lower foothill

Lowland

Rejuvenated foothill

Upland floodplain

Channeled valley

bottom wetland

Unchannelled valley

bottom wetland

Floodplain Wetland

Depression Exorheic

Endorheic

Dammed

Seep With channel outflow (connected)

Without channel outflow (disconnected)

Wetland flat

Table 14: Classification of Watercourses

Delineated

systems

Level 1

System

Level 2

Regional Setting

(Ecoregion)

Level 3

Landscape

Unit

Level 4

HGM Unit

Brak River Inland Upper Nama-Karoo Valley Floor River (Lowland)

Tributaries Inland Upper Nama-Karoo Valley Floor River (Lowland)

Drainage

System

Inland Upper Nama-Karoo Valley Floor River (Lowland)

5.8.2 Drainage Areas

The study area is situated within the Primary Drainage Area (PDA) of D and the Quaternary Drainage Area

(QDA) of D62D. The catchment area is within the Orange Water Management Area (WMA 6) and under the

jurisdiction of the Orange Catchment Management Agency (CMA 6). Refer to Figure 22. The site is not

situated within a priority quaternary drainage catchment, in terms of guidelines and legislation from the


50

Department of Water & Sanitation (DWS). The table below gives a summary of the catchment areas and

management areas for the study site. Refer to Table 15.

South Africa is geographically divided up into a number of naturally occurring Primary Drainage Areas

(PDAs) and Quaternary Drainage Areas (QDAs). Refer to Figure 20. The different areas are demarcated

into Water Management Areas (WMAs) and Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs). Until fairly recently

there were 19 WMAs and 9 CMAs. Refer to Figure 21 shows the extent of the old (or previous) Water

Management Areas (WMAs). As of September 2016, these were revised and there are now officially only 9

WMAs, which correspond directly in demarcation to the 9 CMAs (Figure 22) (Government Gazette, 16

September 2016. No.1056, pg. 169-172).

Table 15: Summary of Catchment Areas for the study site

Level Category

Primary Drainage Area (PDA) D

Quaternary Drainage Area (QDA) D62D

Water Management Area (WMA) – Previous / Old Lower Orange

Water Management Area (WMA) – New (as of Sept.

2016)

Orange (WMA 6)

Sub-Water Management Area Orange Tributaries

Catchment Management Agency (CMA) Orange (CMA 6)

Wetland Vegetation Ecoregion Upper Nama-Karoo

Strategic Water Source Area (SWSA) Yes (De Aar)

Priority Quaternary Catchment No

Fish FEPA No

Fish FSA No

Fish Corridor No

Fish Migratory Corridor No

Priority Quaternary Catchment No


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Figure 20: Primary drainage areas of South Africa

Figure 21: Old WMAs of South Africa


52

Figure 22: New WMAs & CMAs of South Africa

Figure 23: Wetland Vegetation Ecoregions


53

5.8.3 Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSA) of South Africa

The study area is not situated within a national Strategic Water Source Area (SWSA) of South Africa. Refer

to Figure 24). However, it is within a provincial or local Water Source Area (WSA) known as the De Aar

WSA. Refer to Figure 25.

The area in which the study site is situated is a dry part of the country and does not have significant surface

water run-off. However, the area has important (or is important) in terms of ground water sources. Either in

terms of high ground water recharges levels or good aquifers that are important sources of freshwater. It is

important to emphasize that the project will not have an impact at all on the ground water of the area.

A national Strategic Water Source Areas of South Africa (SWSA) are those areas that supply a

disproportionate amount of mean annual runoff in relation to the size of the geographical region. These

areas are important because they have the potential to contribute significantly to overall water quality and

supply, supporting growth and development needs that are often a far distance away. These areas make

up 8% of the land area across South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, but provide 50% of the water in these

countries (SANBI).

A Water Source Area (WSA) is a water catchment or aquifer system that either supplies a relatively large

volume of water for its size, or is the primary source of water for a town, city or industrial activity. Strategic

Water Source Areas (SWSAs) are defined as areas of land that either: (a) supply a disproportionate (i.e.

relatively large) volume of mean annual surface water runoff (i.e. water in streams, rivers and wetlands) in

relation to their size and so are considered nationally important; or (b) have relatively high groundwater

recharge and groundwater forms a nationally important resource (has high levels of use or settlements

depend on it); or (c) areas that meet both criteria (a) and (b). A SWSAis one where the water that is

supplied is considered to be of national importance for water security, but there are others, which are

considered to be of sub-national importance like De Aar WSA (WRC, 2019).


54

Figure 24: National SWSA of South Africa

Figure 25: Water Source Area (De Aar)


55

5.8.4 PES of Watercourses in the Study Area

The assessment criteria and structure to determine the PES of watercourses is based on the modified

Habitat Integrity approach of Kleynhans (1996, 1999). The PES is calculated by looking at the hydrology,

geomorphology, water quality and biota of each watercourse. Of importance is the overall PES of the

system. The present ecological state of the Brak River and the unnamed river east of the study site were

assessed. Refer to Table 16.

Table 16: PES of watercourses in the study area

Criteria Identified Watercourses

Unnamed Dry River Brak River

HYDROLOGY

Flow modification 3 4

Permanent inundation 3 4

WATER QUALITY

Water Quality Modification 3 4

Sediment Load Modification 3 4

GEOMORPHOLOGY

Canalisation 3 3

Topographic Alteration 3 4

BIOTA

Terrestrial Encroachment 3 4

Indigenous Vegetation Removal 3 4

Invasive Plant Encroachment 3 3

Alien Fauna 4 3

Over utilisation of Biota 3 4

Total: 34 41

Average: 3,0 3,7

Category: C B

Integrity (PES): Medium High

PES Description Moderately Modified Largely Natural

Recommended EMC C B

5.8.5 EIS of Watercourses in the Study Area

The EIS values of the watercourse/s were determined using the above methodology. The calculations and

categories are shown below in Table 17.


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Table 17: EIS and EMC values of watercourses

Determinant Unnamed

Dry River

Brak River Confidence

PRIMARY DETERMINANTS

1. Rare & Endangered Species 0 2 4

2. Populations of Unique Species 1 2 4

3. Species/taxon Richness 1 2 4

4. Diversity of Habitat Types or Features 1 3 4

5 Migration route/breeding and feeding site for

wetland species

0 2 3

6. Sensitivity to Changes in the Natural

Hydrological Regime

1 2 3

7. Sensitivity to Water Quality Changes 1 2 3

8. Flood Storage, Energy Dissipation &

Particulate/Element Removal

1 2 3

MODIFYING DETERMINANTS

9. Protected Status 0 0 4

10. Ecological Integrity 1 1 4

TOTAL 7 18 -

AVERAGE 0,7 1,8 -

Overall EIS D C -

Description Low Moderate -

5.9 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

De Aar is the main town of Pixley ka Seme serving a total of 24 other towns. Emthanjeni has in recent time

seen the influx of investment in Renewable energy projects and is a potential industrial growth point with

ample industrial sites, reasonable prices and tariffs, affordable labour and the necessary infrastructure. De


57

Aar is therefore the ideal place to establish industries, a fact which can be borne out by various major

industries which have already established themselves in the region.

The central location and excellent rail and road links have resulted in several chain stores opening

branches. The Emthanjeni area is increasingly becoming the centre for supplying the whole country with

the famous “Karoo” mutton with its unique flavour and quality. This should enable the second economy

initiatives to become active contributors to the economy of Emthanjeni as well as the entire district.

Agriculture forms the backbone of Emthanjeni economy and accounts for the largest labour/ employment

contributor to date. Despite the harsh climate and poor carrying capacity of the veldt, it still offers

opportunities for growth and employment creation. The Manufacturing sector shows potential of growth

through the introduction of Renewable energy projects in De Aar and surrounding areas.

The Municipality is therefore convinced that the Renewable Energy projects and New District Hospital and

further developments planned for the area would grow the economy enormously. As a result of Transnet

scaling down its activities as well as smaller businesses closing down from time to time, economic activity

in the area is stagnating.

Draft Scoping Report For the proposed establishment of Gas Engine on Portion A of the remaining extent of the Farm Vetlaagte 4

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6 IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

An environmental impact is the change to the environment, whether desirable or undesirable, that will result

from the effect of an activity. An impact may be the direct or indirect consequence of an activity. A

description of potential impacts or consequence of an aspect of the development on a specified component

of the biophysical, social or economic environment within a defined time and space.

6.1 IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

The section below is the method used for determining the significance of impacts. Each of the impacts were

listed taking into consideration the different phases (construction, operation, decommissioning). A

description of the findings and potential implications of such findings on the impact of the proposed activity,

including identified alternatives on the environment was provided. Impacts and risks were identified,

including the nature, significance, consequence, extent, duration and probability of the impacts, including

the degree to which these impacts - (a) can be reversed; (b) may cause irreplaceable loss of resources;

and (c) can be avoided, managed or mitigated.

The specialist studies are synthesised and integrated into the overall impact assessment and

recommendations for mitigation are included in the EMPr (During Impact Assessment stage). The contents

of all the specialist reports will include information as prescribed in Regulation 32(3) of the EIA Regulations,

2010 and provide preference ranking of the site.

In addition the following was identified:

• positive and negative impacts that the proposed activity will have on the environment and on the

community that may be affected focusing on the geographical, physical, biological, social,

economic, heritage and cultural aspects;

• the possible mitigation measures that could be applied and level of residual risk; and

The following methodology was applied to the prediction and assessment of impacts/risks. Potential

impacts were rated in terms of the direct, indirect and cumulative:

• Direct impacts are impacts that are caused directly by the activity and generally occur at the same

time and at the place of the activity. These impacts are usually associated with the construction,

operation or maintenance of an activity and are generally obvious and quantifiable.


59

• Indirect impacts of an activity are indirect or induced changes that may occur as a result of the

activity. These types of impacts include all the potential impacts that do not manifest immediately

when the activity is undertaken or which occur at a different place as a result of the activity.

• Cumulative impacts are impacts that result from the incremental impact of the proposed activity on

a common resource when added to the impacts of other past, present or reasonably foreseeable

future activities. Cumulative impacts can occur from the collective impacts of individual minor

actions over a period of time and can include both direct and indirect impacts.

• Nature of impact - this reviews the type of effect that a proposed activity will have on the

environment and should include “what will be affected and how?”

Table 18: Potential Intensity/Severity Rating

Potential Intensity Description (negative) Intensity Score

Change is slight, often not noticeable, natural functioning of environment not

affected.

Negligible 1

Natural functioning of environment is minimally affected. Natural, cultural and social

functions and processes can be reversed to their original state.

Low 2

Environment remarkably altered, still functions, if in modified way. Negative impacts

cannot be fully reversed.

Medium 3

Cultural and social functions and processes disturbed – potentially ceasing to

function temporarily.

High 4

Natural, cultural and social functions and processes permanently cease, and valued,

important, sensitive or vulnerable systems or communities are substantially affected.

Negative impacts cannot be reversed.

Very high 5

Note that the concept of “irreplaceable loss of a resource” is to be taken into account in the Potential

Intensity score of an impact

• Irreplaceability of resource loss caused by impacts –

o High irreplaceability of resources (project will destroy unique resources that cannot be

replaced, i.e. this is the least favourable assessment for the environment. For example, if

the project will destroy unique wetland systems, these may be irreplaceable);

o Moderate irreplaceability of resources;

o Low irreplaceability of resources; or

o Resources are replaceable (the affected resource is easy to replace/rehabilitate, i.e. this is

the most favourable assessment for the environment).


60

• Spatial extent – The size of the area that will be affected by the risk/impact:

Extent Description Score

Site specific (Impacted area is only at the site – the actual extent of the

activity).

1

Local (iimpacted area is limited to the site and its immediate

surrounding area).

2

Regional (Impacted area extends to the surrounding area, the

immediate and the neighboring properties).

3

Provincial (Impact considered of provincial importance). 4

International/Global (e.g. Greenhouse Gas emissions or migrant birds). 5

• Duration – The timeframe during which the risk/impact will be experienced:

The concept of “reversibility” is reflected in the duration scoring. I.e. the longer the impact endures

the less likely it will be reversible.

Duration Description Score

Temporary (less than 3 year) or duration of the construction period. This impact is fully

reversible. E.g. the construction noise temporary impact that is highly reversible as it will

stop at the end of the construction period

1

Medium term (3 to 10 years). The impact is reversible with the implementation of

appropriate mitigation and management actions.

2

Long term (> 10 years but where the impact will cease after the operational life of the

activity). The impact is reversible with the implementation of appropriate mitigation and

management actions. E.g. the noise impact caused by the desalination plant is a long

term impact but can be considered to be highly reversible at the end of the project life,

when the project is decommissioned

3

Permanent (mitigation will not occur in such a way or in such a time span that the

impact can be considered transient). This impact is irreversible. E.g. The loss of a

palaeontological resource on site caused by construction activities is permanent and

would be irreversible.

4

Permanent – no mitigation measures of natural process will reduce impact after

implementation – impact will remain after operational life of project.

5

Reversibility of impacts -

• High reversibility of impacts (impact is highly reversible at end of project life, i.e. this is the most

favorable assessment for the environment. For example, the nuisance factor caused by noise


61

impacts associated with the operational phase of an exporting terminal can be considered to be

highly reversible at the end of the project life);

• Moderate reversibility of impacts;

• Low reversibility of impacts; or

• Impacts are non-reversible (impact is permanent, i.e. this is the least favorable assessment for the

environment. The impact is permanent. For example, the loss of a paleontological resource on the

site caused by building foundations could be non-reversible).

Using the criteria above, the impacts were further be assessed in terms of the following:

• Probability – The probability of the impact/risk occurring:

Probability Description Score

Improbable (little or no chance of occurring <10%) 1

Low Probability (10 - 25% chance of occurring) 2

Probable (25 - 50% chance of occurring) 3

Highly probable (50 – 90% chance of occurring) 4

Definite (>90% chance of occurring). 5

• Magnitude–The anticipated severity of the impact (Intensity + Extent + Duration):

• Extreme (extreme alteration of natural systems, patterns or processes, i.e. where environmental

functions and processes are altered such that they permanently cease);

• Severe (severe alteration of natural systems, patterns or processes, i.e. where environmental

functions and processes are altered such that they temporarily or permanently cease);

• Substantial (substantial alteration of natural systems, patterns or processes, i.e. where

environmental functions and processes are altered such that they temporarily or permanently

cease);

• Moderate (notable alteration of natural systems, patterns or processes, i.e. where the environment

continues to function but in a modified manner); or

• Slight (negligible alteration of natural systems, patterns or processes, i.e. where no natural

systems/environmental functions, patterns, or processes are affected).

• Significance – Will the impact cause a notable alteration of the environment? To determine the

significance of an identified impact/risk, the consequence is multiplied by probability.

Impact Magnitude = Potential Intensity + duration + extent

Significance rating = Impact magnitude * Probability


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Table 19: Guide to assessing risk/impact significance as a result of consequence and probability

Scoring Significance

rating

Description

81-100 Very High The project cannot be authorised unless major changes to the design are

carried out to reduce the significance rating.

60--80 High The impacts will result in major alteration to the environment even with the

implementation on the appropriate mitigation measures and will have an

influence on decision-making.

45-59 Medium high The impact will result in moderate alteration of the environment and can be

reduced or avoided by implementing the appropriate mitigation measures, and

will only have an influence on the decision-making if not mitigated.

30-44 Medium Low The impact may result in minor alterations of the environment and can be

easily avoided by implementing appropriate mitigation measures, and will not

have an influence on decision-making.

15-29 Low The impact may result in very minor alterations of the environment and can be

avoided through the implementation of mitigation measures.

1-14 Very Low No action required.

• Significance was rated as follows (based on Table above)

o Very low (the risk/impact may result in very minor alterations of the environment and can be easily

avoided by implementing appropriate mitigation measures, and will not have an influence on

decision-making);

o Low (the risk/impact may result in minor alterations of the environment and can be easily avoided

by implementing appropriate mitigation measures, and will not have an influence on decision

making);

o Medium (the risk/impact will result in moderate alteration of the environment and can be reduced or

avoided by implementing the appropriate mitigation measures, and will only have an influence on

the decision-making if not mitigated); or

o High (the risk/impacts will result in a considerable alteration to the environment even with the

implementation on the appropriate mitigation measures and will have an influence on decision

making).

o Very high (the risk/impacts will result in major alteration to the environment even with the

implementation on the appropriate mitigation measures and will have an influence on decision

making

(i.e. the project cannot be authorized unless major changes to the engineering design are carried

out to reduce the significance rating).

Impacts have been described both before and after the implementation of the proposed mitigation and


63

management measures. The scenario “without mitigation” considers all management actions already

proposed by the proponent as part of the project description. “With mitigation” assesses the significance

rating of the potential impact, taking into account any additional management actions recommended by the

specialist.

Linked to the above, for each impact assessment, mitigation measures are generally listed under the

following three categories (as applicable):

o Mitigation measures inherent to the project design (i.e. mitigation/management actions that the

proponent had planned to implement as part of the project description);

o Key management actions proposed by specialist (pertinent measures that will be written into, and

enforced through the EMPr for implementation to ensure that the significance of the associated

impact is acceptable); and

o Additional management actions proposed by the specialist (management actions to be considered

by proponent and authority).

The impact assessment has attempted to quantify the magnitude of potential impacts (direct and

cumulative effects) and outline the rationale used. Where appropriate, national standards are used as a

measure of the level of impact.

The above assessment must be summarised in an impact assessment Table as below.

Given the limited alternatives available one impact assessment has been done for the preferred Layout

alternative.


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7 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

This Chapter has identified the potential environmental consequences of the proposed activity looking at the status quo analysed from the receiving

environment. Furthermore, the potential for mitigation of negative impacts and enhancement of positive impacts are briefly described. These issues

will be expanded upon and studied in greater detail in the EIA phase. The below impacts on the biophysical, socio-economic and cultural/historical

environment have been assessed based on the methodology provided in Section 6. Specialist study methodologies are provided in the plan of study.

Table 20: Potential Impacts to be Assessed

Theme Air Quality

Phases Construction Phase Operation Phase Decommissioning Phase

Nature and Status of Impact. Generation of dust from site

clearance and construction activities.

Engine emissions from construction

vehicles.

Emissions from the combustion of

fuel in the Gas Engine / turbines.

Engine / Turbine emissions from

operational traffic

Generation of dust from site

clearance and construction activities.

Theme Terrestrial Fauna and Flora

Nature and Status of Impact. • Loss of natural vegetation

• Loss or impact on wildlife

• Fringe impacts arising from

construction phase

• Operational impacts on fauna

(noise emissions emanating from

the site)

• Decommissioning will leave the

site vulnerable to erosion

• Decommissioning will leave the

site vulnerable to alien plant

invasion

Theme Inland Aquatic Ecosystems Watercourses

Nature and Status of Impact. • Damage to soil structure or

shade out watercourse areas or

• Increase in stormwater runoff.

Discharge of stormwater directly

• Damage to soil structure or

shade out watercourse areas or


65

compaction of soils by

construction activities.

• Alterations to channel

morphology, surface flow

patterns, vegetation and soil

condition.

• Pollution in sediments and a loss

of permeability of soils.

Bioaccumulation of toxins in

locally-occurring biota. Organic

pollution of soils and

ecosystems.

into ephemeral watercourses.

Road maintenance activities.

Changes in hydrological

regimes.

• Changes in surface water flow

patterns.

• Accumulation in sediments, and

a loss of permeability of soils.


locally occurring biota.

compaction of soils by

decommissioning activities.

• Alterations to channel

morphology, surface flow

patterns, vegetation and soil

condition.

• Pollution in sediments and a loss

of permeability of soils.


locally-occurring biota. Organic

pollution of soils and

ecosystems.

Theme Landscape and Visual Aspects

Nature and Status of Impact. • Visual intrusion, dust and noise.

• Change in character of the area.

• Visual intrusion of infrastructure.

• Visual clutter of infrastructure on

the open landscape.

• Effect of lighting at night on dark

skies

• Remaining roads, platforms and

slabs.

• Change in character of the area.

Theme Noise Pollution

Nature and Status of Impact. • Generation of noise from

construction of the Plant may

have an impact on sensitive

receptors.

• Noise and vibration from

• Generation of noise from the

Gas Engines / Turbines may

have an impact on sensitive

receptors.

• Noise and vibration from

construction traffic along main

transport/access routes.


66

construction traffic along main

transport/access routes.

Theme Traffic and Road Network

Nature and Status of Impact. • Increase in traffic associated with

delivery vehicles for the Gas

Engines / Turbines

• Accidents with pedestrians,

animals and other drivers on the

surrounding tarred/gravel roads

• Change in quality of surface

condition of the roads.

• No Impact as there will not be

additional staff hired

• Increase in traffic.

• Accidents with pedestrians,

animals and other drivers on the

surrounding tarred/gravel roads

• Impact on air quality due to dust

generation, noise and release of

air pollutants from vehicles and

construction equipment.

• Change in quality of surface

condition of the roads

Theme Avifauna

It is important to note that the PV Solar Park is already authorised. This project is specifically for the addition

of the Gas Engines / Turbines. In Relation to the site and approved PV park, it is not envisaged that the Gas

plant will have a significant additional impact on the Avifauna in the area.

Theme Landuse and Soils

It should be noted that the site is already approved to be used as a Solar PV Park. As such the change of

land use has already been assessed and accepted during the previous EIA (Ages, 2013). The Gas Plant will

be established within the existing approved footprint, and as such will not increase the impact on Land use

and Soils.


67

Theme Heritage Resources

The main cause of impacts to archaeological sites is direct, physical disturbance of the archaeological

remains themselves and their contexts. It is important to note that the heritage and scientific potential of an

archaeological site is highly dependent on its geological and spatial context. This means that even though,

for example, a deep excavation may expose buried archaeological sites and artefacts, the artefacts are

relatively meaningless once removed from their original position.

The previous field survey did not identify any graves within the study area or any other heritage resources of

significance. Some MSA stone tools that include flakes and flake scrapers and triangular flakes were found in

isolation on the different sections that are earmarked for development. However, the stone tools lack context

and provenance and hence not much information can be reconstructed based on their disturbed context. The

tools are partly weathered which shows that they were exposed to natural weather conditions like rain and

were washed around the landscape by running water. These MSA findings are not unique but they are

generally synonymous with other MSA findings from other MSA sites around the area, for example,

Wonderwerck Cave from the same province which has also yielded MSA deposits.

Theme SOCIAL BASELINE, ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT

It should be noted that the site is already approved to be used as a Solar PV Park. As such the impacts

associated with construction and operation of an electricity generating facility has already been assessed and

accepted during the previous EIA (Ages, 2013). The Gas plant will be established within the existing

approved footprint, and compliment the Solar PV Park, and as such will not increase the socio-economic

impacts.


68

8 PLAN OF STUDY

This Plan of Study, which explains the approach to be adopted to conduct the EIA for the proposed

development was prepared in accordance with Appendix 2 of GN No.326 (7 April 2017).

8.1 ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS AND ISSUES IDENTIFIED DURING SCOPING PHASE

The Scoping exercise aimed to identify and qualitatively predict significant environmental issues for further

consideration and prioritisation. During the EIA stage a detailed quantitative impact assessment will be

conducted via contributions from the project team and requisite specialist studies, and through the

application of the impact assessment methodology contained in Section 6. Suitable mitigation measures

will be identified to manage (i.e. prevent, reduce, rehabilitate and/or compensate) the environmental

impacts, and will be incorporated into an EMPr.

Pertinent environmental issues identified during Scoping, which will receive specific attention during the EIA

phase are listed in Section 7 of this report.

8.2 FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVES TO BE ASSESSED DURING EIA PHASE

The EIA phase will include a detailed comparative analysis of the project’s feasible alternatives that

emanate from the Scoping exercise, which will include environmental (with specialist input) and technical

evaluations. This will ultimately result in the selection of a BPEO.

8.3 SPECIALIST STUDIES

In addition the Scoping Study will identify any fatal flaws, site alternatives and mitigation alternatives to be

evaluated and investigated during the EIA phase of the project. Impacts related to, amongst others,

biodiversity, heritage, Paleontology, air quality, noise and visual have been investigated in this EIA. Issues

that are considered to be of significance will be recommended for further investigation and assessment

within the EIA phase of the project.

Table 21: Specialist studies undertaken for submission with Environmental Impact report

NAME ORGANISATION Specialist field

Johannes Maree Flori Scientific Services Biodiversity Impact Study

Trust Mlilo Integrated Specialist Services (Pty) Ltd Heritage Impact Study

Francois Durand Sole Provider Desktop Paleontology study


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Abdul Ebrahim EScience Associates (Pty) Ltd Air Quality Impact Study

Green house Gas / Climate Change

Study

Adam Bennett ATB Environmental Consulting Noise Impact Study

Elmie Weideman Create Landscape Architecture and

Consulting

Visual Impact Study

Willie Bouwer HiTechCivils Traffic Impact Assessment

The Terms of Reference (ToR), both general and specific, for the abovementioned specialist studies follow

in the sub-sections below. Amongst others, the Guideline for determining the scope of specialist

involvement in EIA processes (Münster, 2005) as well as the specialist protocols of 2020 was used in

compiling the general Terms of Reference for the specialist studies.

8.4 TERMS OF REFERENCE – GENERAL

The following general ToR apply to all the EIA specialist studies to be undertaken for the proposed project:

1. Address all triggers for the specialist studies contained in the subsequent specific ToR.

2. Address issues raised by IAPs, as contained in the Comments and Response Report, and conduct

an assessment of all potentially significant impacts. Additional issues that have not been identified

during Scoping should also be highlighted to the EAP for further investigations.

3. Ensure that the requirements of the environmental authorities that have specific jurisdiction over

the various disciplines and environmental features are satisfied.

4. Approach to include desktop study and site visits, as deemed necessary, to understand the

affected environment and to adequately investigate and evaluate salient issues. Indigenous

knowledge (i.e. targeted consultation) should also be regarded as a potential information resource.

5. Assess the impacts (direct, indirect and cumulative) in terms of their significance (using suitable

evaluation criteria) and suggest suitable mitigation measures. In accordance with the mitigation

hierarchy, negative impacts should be avoided, minimised, rehabilitated (or reinstated) or

compensated for (i.e. offsets), whereas positive impacts should be enhanced. A risk-averse and

cautious approach should be adopted under conditions of uncertainty.

6. Consider time boundaries, including short to long-term implications of impacts for project lifecycle

(i.e. pre-construction, construction, operation and decommissioning).

7. Consider spatial boundaries, including:

a) Broad context of the proposed project (i.e. beyond the boundaries of the specific site);

b) Off-site impacts; and


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c) Local, regional, national or global context.

8. The provision of a statement of impact significance for each issue, which specifies whether or not a

pre-determined threshold of significance (i.e. changes in effects to the environment which would

change a significance rating) has been exceeded, and whether or not the impact presents a

potential fatal flaw or not. This statement of significance should be provided for anticipated project

impacts both before and after application of impact management actions.

9. Recommend a monitoring programme to implement mitigation measures and measure

performance. List indicators to be used during monitoring.

10. Appraisal of alternatives (including the No-Go option) by identifying the BPEO with suitable

justification.

11. Advice on the need for additional specialists to investigate specific components and the scope and

extent of the information required from such studies.

12. Engage with other specialists whose studies may have bearing on your specific investigation.

13. Present findings and participate at public meetings, as necessary.

14. Information provided to the EAP needs to be signed off.

15. Review and sign off on EIA Report prior to submission to DEFF to ensure that specialist

information has been interpreted and integrated correctly into the report.

16. Sign a declaration stating independence.

17. The appointed specialists must take into account the policy framework and legislation relevant to

their particular studies.

18. All specialist reports must adhere to Appendix 6 of GN No. 326 (7 April 2017) as well as the

Specialist reporting protocols, March 2020.

8.5 SPECIFIC TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR SELECTED STUDIES

8.5.1 Terrestrial Ecological Impact Assessment

• Undertake baseline survey and describe affected environment within the project footprint from a

biodiversity perspective.

• Take into consideration the provincial conservation goals and targets.

• Assess the current ecological status and the conservation priority within the project footprint and

adjacent area (as deemed necessary). Provide a concise description of the importance of the

affected area to biodiversity in terms of pattern and process, ecosystem goods and services, as

appropriate.

• Undertake sensitivity study to identify protected and conservation-worthy species. Prepare a

biodiversity sensitivity map with the use of GIS, based on the findings of the study.

• Assess impacts to fauna and flora, associated with the project. Consider cause effect- impact

pathways for assessing impacts to biodiversity related to the project.

• Identify potential fatal flaws associated with the project and its alternatives from a biodiversity

perspective.


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• Comply with specific requirements and guidelines of DEFF.

8.5.2 Heritage Impact Assessment and Paleontology

• Undertake a Heritage Impact Assessment in accordance with the South African Heritage

Resources Act (No. 25 of 1999).

• The identification and mapping of all heritage resources in the area affected, as defined in

Section 2 of the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999, including archaeological and

paleontological sites on or close (within 100 m) of the proposed developments.

• Undertake a desktop palaeontological assessment (evaluate site in terms of SAHRIS).

• The assessment of the significance of such resources in terms of the heritage assessment criteria

as set out in the regulations.

• An assessment of the impact of development on such heritage resources.

• An evaluation of the impact of the development on heritage resources relative to the sustainable

social and economic benefits to be derived from the development.

• Prepare a heritage sensitivity map (GIS-based), based on the findings of the study.

• Identify heritage resources to be monitored.

8.5.3 Air Quality Impact Assessment and Green House Gas/ Climate Change Assessment

• The specifics for this study over and above what has been stated previously and what is required

within the NEM:AQA is that the study must:

• Assess the potential impact of regulated emissions on ambient air quality for the proposed plant

and advise in respect of atmospheric emissions management requirements; and

• Inform an environmental authorisation application process, and an application for atmospheric

emissions licensing, for these proposed upgrades.

8.5.4 Traffic Impact Assessment

The approach that will be followed in conducting this TIA is in accordance with accepted general practice.

The following documents will be consulted:

• Manual for Traffic Impact Studies, Department of Transport, 1995.

• South African Trip Generation Rates, Department of Transport, 1995.

• Committee of Transport Officials (COTO), TMH 17, South African Trip Data Manual, 2012.

• Committee of Transport Officials (COTO), TMH 26, South African Road Classification and Access

Management Manual, 2012.

• Committee of Transport Officials (COTO), TMH 17, South African Traffic Impact and Site Traffic

Assessment Manual – Volume 1, 2012.

Given the extent and the type of the proposed development, in terms of the aforementioned guidelines, the

assessment should therefore consider appropriate target years to analyse the impact on the traffic for both

the development and future year horizon.


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• Traffic flow data and patterns for the key intersections within an acceptable from radius of the

development site will be obtained from the traffic counts.

• Preliminary distribution of the generated traffic.

• An assessment will be made on the performance of the intersections and other traffic elements.

For this purpose, the SIDRA INTERSECTION 7.0 software package will be used.

• As per the Highway Capacity Manual (TRB), the minimum level of service on any of the

• elements of the road network is D. In conjunction herewith, the maximum volume capacity ratio

(V/C) should be 0.85 at non-signalised and isolated intersections and 0.90 at signalized

intersections.

• By taking into account the major findings of the study, the conclusions and recommendations will

be made on the need for road upgrading for the scenarios analysed.

• Confirmation of access locations and vehicle circulation concept.

• Input into the conceptual layout and design of the development.

8.5.5 Visual Impact Assessment

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) will be used in this study to generate the visual impact and to

apply spatial criteria to the proposed structures. A digital elevation model (DEM) will be generated for the

site as well as for 10km of the surrounding area. The DEM is a dataset that displays the local topography of

the area, and will be generated using the 5 meter contours sourced from the Chief Directorate National

Geo-Spatial Information.

The purpose of this report is to identify and quantify the potential visual impact of the proposed Plant. The

following approach will be used to identify key issues for the visual impact:

• A digital elevation model of the study area (10km extent) needs to be created.

• Relevant spatial data including vegetation types, protected areas, cadastral boundaries, existing

roads and rail, wetlands, water bodies, rivers, drainage lines, contours, land cover (2015 data) etc.

must be sourced.

Sensitive areas and other features that might be negatively affected by the proposed development need to

be defined. This includes residential and protected areas. Viewshed analysis is required to determine the

visual exposure and the ability of the environment to absorb the visual impact.


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8.6 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE EIA PHASE

8.6.1 Updating of I&APs Database

The I&APs database will be updated as and when necessary during the execution of the EIA.

8.6.2 Review of Draft EIA Report

A 30-day period will be provided to I&APs to review the Draft EIA Report, and copies of the document will

be lodged for public review at the following venues:

Copies of the Draft EIA Report will be provided to the regulatory and commenting authorities listed in

Section 3.3.7. The reports will be distributed for comment as follows:

• Public places such as libraries, municipal offices and community centres throughout the study area

where the broader public can have access to it (where applicable);

• CD copy available on request by key stakeholders; and

• Available on the STEC website.

All parties on the IAPs database will be notified via email, fax or post of the opportunity to review the Draft

EIA Report at the abovementioned locations, the review period and the process for submitting comments

on the report. All comments received from I&APs and the responses thereto will be included in the final EIA

Report, which will be submitted to DEFF.

8.6.3 Comments and Responses Report

A Comments and Responses Report will be compiled and included in the EIA Report, which will record the

date that issues were raised, a summary of each issue, and the response of the team to address the issue.

In addition, any unattended comments from the Scoping Phase or where the status of the previous

responses has changed, will also be addressed in the Comments and Responses Report for the EIA

phase.

8.6.4 Notification of DEFF Decision

• All IA&Ps will be notified via email, fax or post after having received written notice from DEFF on

the final decision on the application. These notifications will include the appeal procedure to the

decision.


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8.7 APPROACH TO THE EIA STUDIES

The environmental impacts associated with the proposed project require investigation in compliance with

the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (2014), as amended and read with Section 24 (5) of the

National Environmental Management Act - NEMA (Act No 107 of 1998) (as amended).

The required environmental studies include the undertaking of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

process. An application for Environmental Authorisation has been lodged with the Department of

Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF). This process is being undertaken in two phases that will

ultimately allow the competent authority (DEFF) to make an informed decision:

• Phase 1 - Environmental Scoping Study (ESS) and Plan of Study for EIA; and

• Phase 2 - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Programme

(EMPr).

Figure 26: Environmental studies flowchart

Environmental Impact Study

The Environmental Impact Assessment phase will aim to achieve the following:

• To provide an overall assessment of the social and biophysical environments of the affected area

by the proposed development of a Gas Engine plant.

• To undertake a detailed assessment of the preferred site/s in terms of environmental criteria

including the rating of significant impacts;


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• To identify and recommend appropriate mitigation measures (to be included in an EMPr) for

potentially significant environmental impacts; and

• To undertake a fully inclusive public participation process to ensure that I&AP issues and concerns

are recorded and commented on and addressed in the EIA process.

The following critical components of the EIA Report are highlighted:

• A description of the policy and legislative context;

• A detailed description of the proposed development (full scope of activities);

• A detailed description of the proposed development site, which will include a plan that locates the

proposed activities applied for as well as the associated structures and infrastructure;

• A description of the environment that may be affected by the activity and the manner in which

physical, biological, social, economic and cultural aspects of the environment may be affected by

the proposed development;

• The methodology of the stakeholder engagement process;

• The Comments and Responses Report and I&APs Database will be provided as an appendix to

the EIA Report;

• A description of the need and desirability of the proposed development and the identified potential

alternatives to the proposed activity;

• A summary of the methodology used in determining the significance of potential impacts;

• A description and comparative assessment of the project alternatives;

• A summary of the findings of the specialist studies;

• A detailed assessment of all identified potential impacts;

• A list of the assumptions, uncertainties and gaps in knowledge;

• An environmental impact statement;

• Any aspects which were conditional to the findings of the assessment either by the EAP or

specialist which are to be included as conditions of authorization;

• A reasoned opinion as to whether the proposed activity should or should not be authorised, and if

the opinion is that it should be authorised, any conditions that should be made in respect of that

authorisation;

• An opinion by the consultant as to whether the development is suitable for approval within the

proposed site;

• An EMPr that complies with Appendix 4 of the EIA regulations;

• Copies of all specialist reports appended to the EIA report; and

• Any further information that will assist in decision making by the authorities.

8.8 AUTHORITY CONSULTATION

The EIA will only commence if DEFF accepts the Scoping Report and the Plan of Study for the EIA. If

relevant, the necessary revisions will be made to the aforementioned documents if requested by this

Department. Copies of the Draft EIA Report will be provided to the key regulatory and commenting

authorities.


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The final EIA Report will be submitted to DEFF. Any requested amendments will be discussed with the

Department to ensure that their queries are adequately and timeously attended to.

For the remainder of the Scoping process and EIA the interaction with DEFF will be as follows:

• Submission of the Final Scoping Report;

• Meet with designated DEFF Environmental Officer to explain the project and arrange a site visit (if

required by DEFF);

• Address comments on Scoping Report;

• Arrange an authorities meeting during the EIA stage;

• Submit EIA Report;

• Address comments on EIA Report; and

• Obtain a decision.


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9 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The purpose of this report is to provide the relevant authority with sufficient information on the potential

impacts of the proposed development, so that an informed decision can be made with regards to the

processes and subsequent authorisation of the proposed development. Potential impacts were identified

through preliminary specialist assessment of the site as well as through the technical expertise and

experience of the EAP.

The construction and operation of the proposed project, and associated infrastructure can pose various

risks to the environment. The issues related to the development will be identified, discussed and assessed

in terms of various criteria such as extent, duration, intensity and significance within the EIA phase of the

project.

It is believed that the methodology and plan of study that will be used to assess the potential impact of the

project will be sufficient to identify potential impacts and recommend appropriate mitigation. This will

ultimately assist the DEFF in their decision-making process. It is recommended by the EAP that the

proposed project be allowed to proceed to the EIA phase.

.


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10 REFERENCE

• AGES Environmental Impact Report: Proposed solar power generation facilities on the remaining extent of

the farm Vetlaagte No. 4, De Aar, Northern Cape Province, Report number AS-R-2013-02-20

• SATIVA Travel and Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd, Portion A G5 sites Basic Assessment report, 2020.

• Mucina, L. & M.C. Rutherford (eds). 2006. The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. SANBI,

Pretoria.

• Ollis, D.J, Snaddon, C.D, Job, N.M.& Mbona, M. 2013. Classification system for wetlands and other Aquatic

ecosystems in South Africa. User Manual: Inland systems. SANBI. Biodiversity Series 22. Pretoria.

• Raimondo D., L. von Staden, W. Fonden, JE Victor, NA. Helme, RC. Turner, DA. Kamundi, PA. Manyama

(eds). 2009. Red List of South African Plants. Strelitzia 25. SANBI. Pretoria.

• SANBI. South African National Biodiversity website. www.sanbi.org.

• South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Threatened ecosystems of South African Biomes.

Draft 2009. www.sanbi.org or www.bgis.sanbi.org.

http://www.sanbi.org/

http://www.bgis.sanbi.org/


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APPENDICES

SCOPING REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF A …

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